Mensah cleared for final, If ...

Accra, Feb. 5, GNA - 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, the decision 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.