Ghana's toughest test at the African Nations Cup will be the semi-final against Cameroon, according to their manager Claude LeRoy.

"In every big competition, the hardest part is always the semi-final," the Frenchman said after the Black Stars' training session in Accra.

Ghana play Cameroon at Accra's Ohene Djan stadium.

"Remember the 1988 Nations Cup: Morocco, who hosted the tournament, lost to Cameroon in the semis and at the last World Cup, Germany thought they had done the hardest part but eventually lost in semi-final," Le Roy added.

"The semi-final is always the most difficult step to climb."

Le Roy will have to cope with the absence of captain John Mensah, who is suspended after picking up a red card in Ghana's 2-1 win over Nigeria in the quarter-final.

"John is one of the best defenders in the world and without him, we are experiencing a major tactical challenge," he said, adding he had yet to come up with a plan.

Le Roy, who led Cameroon to their 1988 Nations Cup title and coached them during the 1998 World Cup finals, said he would leave no room for feelings during their next game.

"I will put my feelings aside during the 90 minutes. I've had great times with Cameroon but I am now the Ghana coach," he said.

"Feelings will be for before and after the match."

Reuters