GHANA: 'Black Stars' kick off a high calibre African Nations Cup semi-finals programme when they take on Cameroon at Accra's Ohene Djan stadium later on Thursday

Record ID: 1535062

  • Title: GHANA: 'Black Stars' kick off a high calibre African Nations Cup semi-finals programme when they take on Cameroon at Accra's Ohene Djan stadium later on Thursday
  • Date: 8th February 2008
  • Summary: FANS CHEERING PLAYERS
  • Embargoed: 23rd February 2008 08:22
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Ghana
  • Country: Ghana
  • Topics: Sport
  • Reuters ID: LVA1288QG50ZEPFLLQNSQE6TEWON
  • Aspect Ratio: 4:3
  • Story Text: Ghana need to reshuffle their defence to cope with the absence of suspended captain John Mensah for their African Nations Cup semi-final against Cameroon on Thursday (February 7).
    The defender is to miss the match in Accra after receiving a red card for a professional foul in Sunday's 2-1 quarter-final win over Nigeria.
    Ghana coach Claude Le Roy has admitted it will be difficult to adjust the defence but has hinted Michael Essien might be used at centre back against formidable Cameroon striker Samuel Eto'o.
    Essien has scored twice in the last two games with his strong runs from the centre of midfield.
    The tournament hosts also face the possibility of doing without striker Asamoah Gyan, injured in Sunday's match.
    Le Roy, a Nations Cup winner with Cameroon 20 years ago, has already branded his team "heroes" but will need them to show even more determination against a combative Cameroon.

    "Our fans have been fantastic since we started the tournament, and we believe in them and they also believe in us, that we are all working together so we know the fans are coming in numbers especially this game because they want us to lift up the cup and for this, its going to give us more confident and more power to go all out and win this game on Thursday," said Ghanaian defender, John Paintsil.
    The Indomitable Lions were written off after a 4-2 defeat by Egypt in their opening group match but have since stormed back with 11 goals in three games, including an extra-time winner against Tunisia in Monday's quarter-final in Tamale.
    Under German coach Otto Pfister, their playing style is more about physical power than finesse but it has been effective.
    Striker Eto'o became the highest scorer in African Nations Cup history at this tournament although did not get a goal on Monday.
    Cameroon are in their first Nations Cup semi-final since winning the tournament in 2002, while Ghana are through to the last four for the first time since 1996.
    Both countries have won four previous Nations Cup titles, one less than record-holders Egypt.
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