Essien ruled out for Ghana

Chelsea midfielder out of Africa Cup of Nations with knee injury.

Essien
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Out: Essien [GALLO/GETTY]

Ghana midfielder Michael Essien has been ruled out of the Africa Cup of Nations ahead of his side’s last Africa Cup of Nations Group B game against Burkina Faso.
 
Chelsea’s Essien picked up a knee injury in training on Sunday.

Ghana, who started their campaign with a 3-1 defeat by Cote d’Ivoire, must beat Burkina Faso if they are to qualify.

Hosts Angola have promised to continue their attacking approach when they meet Algeria on Monday, even if a draw will be enough to earn them a quarter-final berth.

The top two places are yet to be settled with all four sides still in with a chance of progressing to the knockout phase from Monday’s final series of Group A matches.

Angola lead with four points, one ahead of both Algeria and Malawi, with Mali back on a single point.

Mali, however, could yet qualify for the last eight if they beat Malawi in Cabinda on Monday and Angola end on the winning side against Algeria.

Both games kick off at 16.00 GMT.

The home nation has scored six goals in their first two matches and coach Manuel Jose said they intended to keep their foot on the gas at the November 11th Stadium in the capital on Monday.

A capacity crowd of 50,000 is expected.

‘Pressing game’

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“We want to keep up the momentum. There are no thoughts of doing anything else but playing our pressing game and taking the match to the opponent,” he said in Luanda.

Mali’s hope of recording their first win are tempered by injuries to both striker Frederic Kanoute and Juventus midfielder Momo Sissoko.

Coach Stephen Keshi said on Sunday he would make a late decision on their availability before Monday’s match.

Cote d’Ivoire and defending champions Egypt are already through to the quarter-finals.

In Lubango on Friday, Cameroon came from behind to beat Zambia 3-2 in Group D while Gabon stayed top of the group after drawing 0-0 with Tunisia.

Source: Reuters