Mali beat Guinea, 10-man Ghana triumph over Botswana

By Peter Auf der Heyde Jan 24, 2012, 21:52 GMT

Libreville, Gabon - Ghana and Mali on Tuesday got their Africa Cup of Nations campaigns off to winning starts with 1-0 victories against Botswana and Guinea respectively.

In the later game in Franceville, Guinea were unlucky to walk away without a point as they kept up the pressure on Mali, who had gone ahead on the half hour through Bakaye Traore.

The Nancy midfielder was set up by Modibo Maiga and was then fortunate as his shot took a lucky deflection off a defender.

Barely four minutes later, Ismael Bangoura came close to leveling matters after running rings around the Mali defence, but the striker's shot was saved by goalkeeper Soumbeyla Diakite.

Shortly before the break Guinea had a strong penalty appeal turned down as Ibrahima Diallo seemed to be fouled in the area, but Tunisian referee Slim Jedidi booked the Belgium-based defender for simulation.

In the second half Guinea continued piling forward in search of a goal, and Pascal Feindouno came close in the dying moments of the game, only to see his effort tipped over by Diakite for a corner.

In the earlier game Ghana captain John Mensah turned from hero to villain by scoring the only goal of the match against Botswana 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.

Mensah, who will miss his side's next two games, said he accepted the referee's decision. 'I have no problem with the red card, the referee made his decision and that's football.'

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.

Ghana coach Goran Stevanovic said that his side was in control until Mensah was sent off. 'We created some chances but they closed down the game with 10 men behind the ball.

'It is still very important that we won our first game of a tournament that has already produced some surprises.'

Selowane, who will be available for Botswana in their next game, said that the side had tried hard. 'It's a learning curve for us but it's important that we came out and tried.

'Ghana showed their class and professionalism - when they really needed to step up, they did.'