African Cup of Nations 2012: Ghana 1 - 0 Botswana
On the fourth day of this year's tournament, favourites Ghana opened their account with a 1-0 victory over an unfancied, though not easily brushed aside Botswana team, overcoming the weight of expectations that always threatens to derail even the strongest of favourites in this competition. The responsibility fell to John Mensah to play both hero and almost villain in the match, as he scored the winner in the first half, before being sent off midway in the second for a rash foul on Jerome Ramatlhakwane to deny what the referee deemed a clear goalscoring opportunity. The game opened with Botswana following the trend set by their fellow "underdogs" of the tournament by defending determinedly, and doggedly at times, and not allowing their supposedly vastly superior opponents the opportunity to play in the final third despite Ghana's dominant possession. Al Ain's on-loan striker Asamoah Gyan offered some early spark, though without any real ignition, in a game that saw a few too many wayward challenges go by without punishment for my liking. And despite the Ghanaians' disproportionate share of the ball, they lacked anything like a killer instinct in the face of the particularly well-marshalled Botswana defence. The tournament deubtantes were proving that they were not in Gabon and Equatorial Guinea simply to make up the numbers as they kept the talented Ghana midfield confined to midfield and largely unable to capitalise on possession. But a heavy enough tide inevitably proves too much to overcome for any defence, and the 25th minute saw Mensah get on the end of Gyan's front post flick from a corner to score from close range. A rare lapse of concentration from the Botswana men, who should have dealt better with the ball-in and with Mensah's presence, but it was a lapse that they quickly overcame to regain composure and continue to repel the majority of Ghana's attacks for the remainder of the half. With the Ghanaians leading, you might have expected Botswana to abandon their dilligent defensive approach in order to chase the game and try and rescue a point or three, but the second half brought much the same as the first. Ghana fell immediately into their rhythm but found most of their progressive play stifled by their opponent's disciplined defending. And it was Botswana who almost scored the second goals of the game, with Moemedi coming close to heading in, following some good build-up play, though his cross-goal header was cleared spectacularly off the line by Boye. And then, ten or so minutes later the impressive Mensah received his marching orders, cynically scything Ramatlhakwane down after he jumped on a slack defensive header by Annan to race through towards the goal. It would have almost certainly result in a goal, and Mensah knew exactly what he was doing, bringing the striker down just outside the box and sacrificing himself for the cause. Though there can be no celebration of that bit of "honour". Ghana, their ranks depleted, then spent the rest of the game content to sit back and see the result out, closing the door every time Botswana looked like attacking, to the obvious frustrations of coach Stanley Tshosane. It was very much a case of Ghana's collected experience seeing them through to the end, as well as some strong defensive work and a lot more discipline than Mensah showed in his challenge. So Ghana go into their Group Winner deciding match against Mali, who followed this game with a 1-0 win over Guinea, with three points, and Botswana are left to rue what could have been.
Teams
Ghana: Adam Kwarasey (GK), John Paintsil, Samuel Inkoom, John Boye, John Mensah, Anthony Annan, Jordan Ayew, Emmanuel Agyemang Badu, Asamoah Gyan, Dede Ayew, Sulley Muntari. Botswana: Modiri Marumo (GK), Ndiyapo Letsholathebe, Misimanegape Ramohibidu, Mompathi Thuma, Ofentse Nato, Penyo Mongala, Jerome Ramatlhakwane, Moemedi Moatlhaping, Patrick Motsepe, Mogogi Gabonamong, Thsepo Motlhabankwe