Though the Ghanaian team of John Paintsil, Andre ‘Dede’ Ayew, Jordan Ayew, Samuel Inkoom, Ali Surrey Muntari, Asamoah Gyan had a full day, their Captain John Mensah opened scores at the 25th minute before he will be red-carded at the 66th minute for a back-tackle meted on Botswana attacker, Jerome Ramatlhakwane. This unexpected exit left Ghana ten on the green turf against a hard working but inexperienced Zebras of Botswana.

The Ghanaian hero-to-zero defender John Mensah will not be involved against Mali and Guinea in the rest of the team's group games at the AFCON.

According to CAF rules, Mensah will have a two-game ban. The 29-year-old, will sit out the next two crucial games. Options for Ghana in his place are John Boye, Jonathan Mensah and Lee Addy. Should Ghana fail to make it past the group stage, Mensah’s Nations Cup campaign would be over already.

The red card is John Mensah's second in his AFCON career, having taken one for the team similarly in 2008 against Nigeria. On that occasion, Ghana won 2-1 to advance to the semi-finals.

It is not clear if Ghana will appeal the decision, which appeared very right from the Senegalese referee, Badara Tiata. As for John Mensah himself, he told journalists after the match in France Ville; "I have no problem with the red card, the referee made his decision and that's football."

The Zebras of Botswana, coached by Stanley Tshosane had a good portion of the second half of the game, but failed to be dynamic in their offensive mechanisms.

Botswana had threatened a stunning upset when only a desperate goal-line clearance from John Boye earlier in the second half prevented Moemedi Moatlhaping’s header from equalising.

In a West African duel, Mali’s Traore Bakaya settled a tense game, as his 30th-minute goal was enough to beat Guinea 1-0 in a tight Group D encounter in France Ville. The strike force of the Syli Nationale of Guinea had no signs of dynamism.

The midfielders will give long balls to the attack line but they failed to do a follow up. Offensive midfielder of Syli Nationale, Pascal Feindounou was inspired but not supported adequately by his fellow players. The Guineans made efforts to be push full but will not concretise their opportunities at securing that precious goal.

Wednesday in group A, Libya plays Zambia and Equatorial Guinea clash with Lions of Senegal.