AFP
Ghana suffered a collossal blow to their hopes of qualifying for the CAF Africa Cup of Nations quarter-finals when their star 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. Reports suggest he has torn the medial collateral ligament in his right knee and damage to his meniscus leaving him facing at least one month on the sidelines.
The 27-year-old is walking with the aid of crutches. FIFA World Cup™ qualifiers Ghana are one point behind Burkina Faso and the four-time champions need a win to avoid being eliminated after the first round of the biennial African football showpiece.
A fully fit Essien would have given Ghana strength and experience in midfield against a Burkina Faso side that was good enough to hold Côte d’Ivoire to a goalless draw in their opening Group C game.
Ghana striker Matthew Amoah told BBC Sport: “This is a big blow because Michael is so important to our team. We’ve lost the motor in our midfield, and this is very bad.”
