FRANCEVILLE, Gabon — Ghana captain John Mensah scored before being sent off on Tuesday as the title contender surrendered its early superiority in a nervous 1-0 win over lowly Botswana at the African Cup of Nations.
Mensah forced the ball in from a corner in the 25th minute to cap a dominant first half for the four-time winners at a half-empty Stade de Franceville.
But Mensah was shown a straight red card in the 66th after dragging down Jerome Ramatlhakwane on the edge of the area, forcing Ghana to hold on in a game it was expected to win with ease.
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 equalizing.
Ghana Starting line-up: Adam Kwarasey -- John Paintsil, Samuel Inkoom, John Boye, John Mensah -- Anthony Annan, Emmanuel Agyemang Badu, Sulley Muntari, Andre Ayew -- Asamoah Gyan, Jordan Ayew
