Mensah scored off a corner kick, the only breakdown of the night for the stalwart Zebra defense, saved one sure goal off the line in spectacular fashion, then rescued Ghana from an errant header, charging back to take down Botswana striker Jerome just outside the box. Mensah was sent off for foiling the breakaway and will miss the next game but averted a potential equalizer.
Ghana, led by Serbian coach Goran Stevanovic, sports a fluid, four-headed attack, spearheaded by Sulley Muntari of Inter Milan, Asamoah Gyan, currently at Al-Ain in Abu Dhabi, and the wide-ranging Ayew brothers, 22-year-old Andrew “Dede” Ayew and 20-year-old Jordan, sons of the legendary Abedi “Pele” Ayew and emerging stars at Marseilles.
From first appearances, the Ayew youngsters are the real deal, and the Black Stars remain the team to beat.
Mali, directed by former Gabon coach Alain Giresse and 1-0 winners over neighboring Guinea, also features an attractive blend of experience and youth.
Barcelona’s Seydou Keita is a steadying influence in the Mali midfield while Cedric Kante anchors the back line, but apart from the two 32 year-old veterans, the average outfield age is 24 and the fast-paced, athletic attack is pure youth movement.
In a game played at breakneck pace, Guinea matched Mali step for step and leap for leap, falling only to a deflected shot, but the Elephants may lack the finishing quality to escape the tough group.
The opening results set up a tantalizing Ghana-Mali matchup on Saturday.
Turning to Group C, co-host Gabon started brightly, played clean, open soccer, and were 2-0 winners over outmatched Niger, also making their first AFCON final appearance.
22-year-old striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who plays for St. Etienne in the French top-flight, tucked a nifty header inside the post off a long-range cross while approaching the end line, and sparkled throughout for Gerhod Rohr’s Panthers.
In one of three minor upsets of the opening days, Tunisia surprised dark horse pick Morocco 2-1 in a closely contested battle between bitter North African rivals.
