By FRANCO PANIZO

One of the favorites to win this year's Africa Cup of Nations, Ghana opened its tournament with a narrow victory over Botswana that can best be described as a roller coaster for John Mensah.

The Ghana captain endured highs and lows in Ghana's Group D opener, scoring the only goal before receiving a red card and then picking up a hamstring injury. Mensah's ejection made him the first player sent off from a game in this year's tournament.

Before seeing red for a professional foul that stopped a goal-scoring chance, Mensah scored the winner for the Black Stars in the 25th minute following a corner kick.

Here are more results from Africa Cup of Nations:

ZAMBIA TIES LIBYA IN RAINY GAME

Playing in rainy conditions, Zambia and Libya tied 2-2 on Wednesday in their second Group A game. The match appeared ready to be canceled but after an hour delay it kicked off and an entertaining match on a soaked field ensued. Ahmed Saad bagged a brace for Libya, and Emmanuel Mayuka and Christopher Katongo netted for Zambia.

SENEGAL CRASHES OUT WITH LOSS TO EQUATORIAL GUINEA

Senegal's tournament hopes ended abruptly on Wednesday, as a goal in stoppage time saw it lose 2-1 to Equatorial Guinea. Senegal was knocked out of the tournament with its second loss in as many games when David Alvarez scored in the 94th minute of the Group A game. Senegal appeared to have avoided that fate minutes prior when Moussa Sow negated Iban Iyanga's opener in the 89th, but it was not to be for the Lions of Teranga.

FIRST-HALF GOAL GIVES MALI WIN OVER GUINEA

Mali claimed three points in its Group D opener, but it took a hard-fought effort to defeat Guinea, 1-0, on Tuesday. Bakaye Traore scored the lone goal at half-hour mark on a shot that took a deflection before finding the back of the net. The win put Mali atop the group with Ghana.

GABON DEFEATS NIGER, TUNISIA TOPS MOROCCO IN GROUP C

Co-hosts Gabon got off to a winning start, defeating Niger 2-0 in Group C action on Monday. Gabon won over the Africa Cup of Nations debutants with relative ease, taking a two-goal lead in the first half on goals from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyand and Stephane N'Guema.

In the other Group C game on Monday, Tunisia beat Morocco 2-1. Morocco should have at least tied, but it was wasteful in front of goal. That allowed for its rival to beat it on goals from Saber Khalifa and Youssef Msakni. Morocco's lone goal came from Houssine Kharja.

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Surprised by Senegal's early elimination? Do you see Ghana making it to the final of the tournament? Who do you think will win Group C?

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