Mensah turns from hero to villain as Ghana defeat Botswana 1-0

Jan 24, 2012, 18:21 GMT

Libreville, Gabon - Ghana captain John Mensah turned from hero to villain Tuesday by scoring the only goal of the match against Botswana in his side's opening Africa Cup of Nations match before being sent off.

Lyon defender Mensah scored after a corner in the 25th minute, bundling the ball over the line after the Botswana defence failed to clear, but was then red-carded in the 66th minute for a last-man foul on Jerome Ramatlhakwane.

A disappointing crowd of less than 10,000 in Franceville saw the Black Stars stamp their authority on the game from the beginning.

After Mensah opened the scoring midway through the first half, strikers Asamoah Gyan and Jordan Ayew had chances to increase the score-line, but were let down by their final touch.

The Black Stars, who were warned by earlier defeats for fellow-favorites Senegal and Morocco, continued their dominance after the break, but again failed to convert that into clear-cut chances.

Once Mensah had been sent off, Botswana, who were playing their first-ever match at the finals of the showpiece of African football, looked the stronger side.

Missing influential striker Dipsy Selolwane, who was suspended for the game, the Zebras however did not put Ghanaian goalkeeper Adam Kwarasey under any pressure and in the end Ghana comfortably held onto their one-goal lead.

They nearly grabbed a second in injury time when Anthony Annan tested Modiri Marumo with a powerful shot from the edge of the area, but the goalkeeper was equal to the task.

The tournament's favourites will be without Mensah for their next group game against Mali.

Mali take on Guinea in the second group match later Tuesday.