Mensah Cleared For Final If Ghana Qualifies For Finals

Ghana's captain, John Mensah is eligible to play in the finals of the 2008 Africa Cup of Nations should the Black Stars qualify from the semi-finals. This follows the decision of the Confederation of Africa Football (CAF) to hand him a one-match ban after being sent off in the quarterfinal game against Nigeria last Sunday. The decision is contrary to speculations and concerns that the defender would be given a two-match ban as a result of the red card he received in the Stars’ match against Nigeria's Super Eagles at the quarterfinal stage. The refreshing decision, according to a statement from CAF, which was picked by the GNA Sports on Tuesday, was based on a report submitted by the referee of the match. The statement said: "For denying an obvious goal-scoring opportunity to his opponent, Mensah was expelled and he is automatically suspended for the next match, namely semi-final match 29 fixed for February 7". Mensah was sent off for bringing down Osaze Odemwingie, who was on a run at goal, and has gone on record as the second player to have received the red card in the tournament, after Guinea captain Pascal Feindouno was given a two-match ban for violent conduct.