John Mensah scored to give Ghana a winning start but also picked up a red card. A dominant Ghana took the lead against Botswana when Mensah tapped in an in-swinging corner in the 25th minute. A Moathaping header was acrobatically cleared off the Ghana goal line by Boye in the 51st minute and when Jerome raced through on goal in the 66th minute Mensah's challenge earned him a straight red, but Ghana showed enough strength to hold out for the win. (Ghana 1 Botswana 0)

Mali picked up a vital win against neighbours Guinea to top group D with group favourites Ghana. Traore's sizzling shot from just outside the box, helped in by a deflection in the 30th minute was the match decider as Guinea failed to find the finishing touch. (Mali 1 Guinea 0)