Goodbye opening Afcon group games

Tournament favourites Ghana recorded an opening win, but it wasn’t the walkover they expected against minnows Botswana, who made their African Nations Cup debut.

The Black Stars held on for a 1-0 victory, after John Mensah’s knee put them in front on 25 minutes. But the hero turned villain as he was sent off in the second half for a goal-preventing foul on Jerome Ramatlhakwane.

In the other Group D game, Bakaye Traoré’s strike gave Mali all three points against Guinea.

STAT SO FAR: The opening eight games of the tournament produced 15 goals.

STAR PLAYER SO FAR: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang inspired co-hosts Gabon to a comfortable 2-0 win against debutants Niger. He scored the opener and set up the winner.

NEXT ROUND OF FIXTURES:

GROUP A:

LIBYA vs. ZAMBIA - 25/01/2012

GUINEA EQ. vs. SENEGAL - 25/01/2012

GROUP B:

SUDAN vs. ANGOLA - 26/01/2012

COTE D’IVOIRE vs. BURKINA FASO - 26/01/2012

GROUP C:

NIGER vs. TUNISIA - 27/01/2012

GABON vs. MOROCCO - 27/01/2012

GROUP D:

BOTSWANA vs. GUINEA - 28/01/2012

GHANA vs. MALI - 28/01/2012

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Doing it for the kids

SAMSUNG’s Football Fest has been a hit with the kids in Libreville.