Defender John Mensah will play no further part in Ghana's remaining group campaign following his sending off in the Group D opener against Botswana.
The Black Stars captain in an attempt to salvage an earlier mistake by Anthony Annan fouled striker Jerome Ramatlhakwana and was given a straight red for denying a clear goalscoring opportunity as the last man.
The 29-year-old Olympique Lyon defender is now set to serve a mandatory two-match ban - meaning he is ineligible to play in games against Mali and Guinea.
Mensah's Nations Cup campaign could well be over already if Ghana fails to qualify to the knock out stages from Group D which is based in Franceville.
Jonathan Mensah looks the more likelier replacement with Lee Addy also in contention to pair John Boye in the central defensive role.