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Played
January 24, 2012 11:00 AM EST
Stade de Franceville (new) — Franceville
Referee: B. Diatta
January 24, 2012 11:00 AM EST
Stade de Franceville (new) — Franceville
Referee: B. Diatta
25′
John Mensah
Ghana 1-0 Botswana: Ten-man Black Stars outpace the Zebras in Group D opener
It was a day of mixed emotions for the captain of the west Africans, John Mensah, as he scored the match-winner but also took an early shower in their opening game
By Kent Mensah
Goal.com
Ghana beat Botswana 1-0 in Franceville courtesy of a goal from captain John Mensah in its opening Group D game at the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations on Tuesday.
The Olympique Lyonnais defender has given the Black Stars a positive start as one of the tournament favorites, but took an early shower in the second half following his red card for a professional foul.
The four-time African champions dominated most of the play, especially in the first half, but were unable to convert chances that begged at them.
Mensah put Ghana in the lead in the 25th minute after having bundled the ball in following a corner kick from Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu. The Ghanaians kept pushing forward for goals but the defence of the Zebras were on high alert to block their shots at goal.
The score-line remained the same into the interval.
The Zebras returned to the game hoping to overturn the deficit and came close to scoring when Patrick Motsepe's far post header beat Ghana’s goalkeeper Adams Kwarasey towards a yawning post, but was cleared off the line by Black Stars defender John Boye.
With about 66 minutes of game played, Botswana’s danger man Jerome Ramatlhakwane broke free on goal, but was brought down on the edge of the penalty box by the Ghanaian captain, who instantly received the marching orders of referee Diatta Badara of Senegal.
It was the southern Africans time to dictate the pace of the game after Mensah was sent off, but their numerous efforts at Ghana’s goalmouth aimed at leveling the score yielded no results.
The Zebras have to aim for a win against Guinea in their next game on Jan. 28 in order to keep their hopes alive in the tournament, which happens to be their maiden appearance.
The Olympique Lyonnais defender has given the Black Stars a positive start as one of the tournament favorites, but took an early shower in the second half following his red card for a professional foul.
The four-time African champions dominated most of the play, especially in the first half, but were unable to convert chances that begged at them.
Mensah put Ghana in the lead in the 25th minute after having bundled the ball in following a corner kick from Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu. The Ghanaians kept pushing forward for goals but the defence of the Zebras were on high alert to block their shots at goal.
The score-line remained the same into the interval.
The Zebras returned to the game hoping to overturn the deficit and came close to scoring when Patrick Motsepe's far post header beat Ghana’s goalkeeper Adams Kwarasey towards a yawning post, but was cleared off the line by Black Stars defender John Boye.
With about 66 minutes of game played, Botswana’s danger man Jerome Ramatlhakwane broke free on goal, but was brought down on the edge of the penalty box by the Ghanaian captain, who instantly received the marching orders of referee Diatta Badara of Senegal.
It was the southern Africans time to dictate the pace of the game after Mensah was sent off, but their numerous efforts at Ghana’s goalmouth aimed at leveling the score yielded no results.
The Zebras have to aim for a win against Guinea in their next game on Jan. 28 in order to keep their hopes alive in the tournament, which happens to be their maiden appearance.
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Goal
Own Goal
Penalty
Penalty Missed
Yellow Card
Assist
Penalty Save
Penalty Shootout Goal
Penalty Shootout Miss
Yellow Card / Red Card
Red Card
Substitution IN
Substitution OUT
Injury
Goal.com Rating
Goal.com Man of the Match
Goal.com Flop of the Match
Top & Flop Global Ranking
Fans' Man of the Match
Fans' Flop of the Match
Top Scorers
| Player | Goals | Penalties | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Prince Oniangue
Midfielder Congo |
2 | 1 |
|
T. Mputu
Striker RD Congo |
2 | 0 |
|
Atusaye Nyondo
Striker Malawi |
2 | 0 |
|
A. Kaluyituka
Striker RD Congo |
2 | 0 |
|
Léger Djimrangar
Defender Chad |
2 | 0 |