Goran Stevanovic is ruing the absence of John Mensah who is suspended for Ghana's next two games at the African Cup of Nations.

Mensah was dismissed in the Group D opener against Botswana after he scored to give the Black Stars a 1-0 win at the Stade de Franceville on Tuesday.

Stevanovic would now miss his captain for the Group D matches against Mali and Guinea.

"I'm worried because Mensah is very difficult to replace," he said. "He played well against Botswana but then got sent off."

However, the Ghana coach is equally happy with the options available and his team would be ready for Mali on Saturday.

"But while we were training in South Africa, I told the players that I need every one of them for this competition and so I have 20 other players who could replace him and we will be ready for Mali."