Setback for Ghana as Essien out of next Nations Cup game

Ghana suffered a colossal blow to their hopes of qualifying for the Africa Cup of Nations quarter-finals when their best player, Michael Essien, was ruled out of Tuesday’s game against Burkina Faso.

Chelsea’s star midfielder misses the final Group B game in Luanda after injuring his right knee in training on Saturday and his English club said he was to return to London “later this week”.

Randy Abbey, Ghana’s team spokesman, told AFP: “Unfortunately we have had the results of the scan back and the coach has confirmed that Michael will definitely miss Tuesday’s game.”

It was unclear how serious this latest setback was and whether Essien might recover in time to play any further role in Ghana’s Nations Cup campaign should they progress to the last eight.

Reports suggest he has torn the medial collateral ligament in his right knee and damaged his meniscus, leaving him facing at least one month on the sidelines.

Ghana are one point behind Burkina Faso who put themselves in a sound position to qualify when coming away from their opening game against Ivory Coast with a goalless draw and a precious point.

Ghana arrived in Angola with a raft of key players missing forcing coach Milovan Rajevac to field a largely inexperienced side.

Of the Burkina Faso test he said: “Our next match is a question of double or quits.”

Rajevac suggested the lopsided scoreline against the Ivory Coast did not do his side justice.

“We didn’t play as badly as the score suggests. Most of the time we played well but unfortunately we didn’t get the breaks.”

After Essien’s injury setback it looks as though lady luck has yet to smile on the first team from Africa to qualify for the 2010 World Cup.

Burkina Faso set out a defensive stall against the Ivory Coast and the ploy worked a treat as European-based stars like Didier Drogba and Kolo Toure were held at bay.

Burkian Faso coach Paulo Duarte said: “That goalless drew has allowed us to start thinking of qualifying for the last eight. Now we have to take on another World Cup qualifer in Ghana, but my team has the ability to put up a good performance.”

Togo, the other country drawn in Group B, withdrew before the tournament kicked off last Sunday after the bus convoy carrying them into Angola was attacked in the restive northern Angolan enclave of Cabinda.