| Goals | Goals |
|---|---|
| 5. John Mensah (25’) |
Mensah scores, sent off in Ghana win
Samuel Inkoom of Ghana and Mogogi Gabonamong of Botswana
Mensah powered the ball over the goal line at a corner kick in the 25th minute, a goal that proved the difference on the night.
The win, albeit in a tense atmosphere, was just what Ghana were aiming for in their opening Group D match of the Africa Nations Cup in Franceville, but Botswana didn’t disgrace themselves.
Ghana settled down early on and kept the ball well and as expected, debutants Botswana were happy to sit back. At this stage it seemed as if Ghana would dominate the entire game, but things changed as time went on.
It took seven minutes for the Zebras to get a shot in at goal, but Patrick Motsepe’s effort skewed off his left foot and way wide of goal.
Then Botswana struggled to keep the ball and gave it away each time they did get possession, as Ghana did very well to put pressure in midfield and squeeze Botswana into difficult areas of their own half.
Ghana opened the scoring through captain and centre back Mensah, who was on hand in the centre of the goal area to push the ball over the line following a corner kick.
The corner was swung in by Emmanuel Agyemang Badu and Asamoah Gyan attempted to meet it at the near post, but just missed he ball and this seemed to put goalkeeper Modiri Marumo slightly off and he was nowhere to be found when the ball landed at Mensah’s feet.
Sulley Muntari, Gyan and Andre Ayew continued to ask questions of Botswana for the remainder of the half and were unlucky not to score a second goal before the break.
Ghana started the second half well and seemed to continue their dominance, but it did not take long for Botswana to threaten.
In the 53rd minute a deep curling cross was met by Patrick Motsepe at the far post and his header came back across goal, but was cleared brilliantly off the line by Joh Boye, with Mosimanegape Ramoshibidu ready to pounce and head the ball over the goal line.
It was a crucial interception by Boye as Botswana showed they were not lying down to die just yet.
Then in the 66th minute a long clearance by Botswana caused problems for Ghana and Ramatlhakwana powered through on goal and John Mensah could not catch him.
Instead, Mensah fouled him on the edge of the danger area and rightly received his marching orders for the foul. But Ngele could not take advantage of the set piece in a good area.
Then Ghana had to make a change. They took Muntari off and brought on another centre back, Jonathan Mensah, to replace his red-carded skipper and namesake John in central defence.
Botswana grew with confidence and caused a few scares late in the game, but overall they just did not have the firepower to break through Ghana’s defence and score an equaliser.
Back to the drawing board for Ghana while Botswana will feel confident they can go on and win their next matches.
The Zebras did the best they could do under the circumstances and I salute them all eventhough I wish they would have started their attacks a little earlier. My man of the match for the day... Phenyo Mongala...he was really shining. Zebras learnt a lot from this game and I am personally happy they had to start against the black stars, this really inspired them. They didn't disappoint us at all. Shapa Zebras ...shapa.
{message}