World Cup qual - Ghana lose four key players

Eurosport - Fri, 19 Jun 15:16:00 2009

Four-times Africa champions Ghana have lost four top players as they prepare in Kenya for Saturday's 2010 World Cup qualifier against Sudan.

FOOTBALL Ghana celebrate Muntari goal - 0

Veteran skipper Stephen Appiah of Fenerbache, Internazionale's Sulley Muntari, West Ham's John Pantsil and Baffour Gyan of Russia's FC Saturn are all out of the Group D encounter in Omdurman.

Pantsil was suspended for accruing two yellow cards, while the rest are nursing injuries.

"We desperately want to qualify for the World Cup for the second time and we can't afford any slip-ups," said Serbian coach Milovan Rajevak in the Rift Valley provincial town of Naivasha.

Ghana's Chelsea midfielder Michael Essien, Rennes striker Asamoah Gyan, Lyon defender John Mensah, goalkeeper Richard Kingston of Wigan Athletic and Zamalek's striker Junior Agogo are all in the team who beat Mali 2-0 two weeks ago.

Their training sessions in Naivasha's Oserian Flowers ground have attracted a huge Kenyan crowd seeking a glimpse of Essien.

"We won't be carried away by that victory in Mali because we regard all teams are strong at this level," Rajevak said.

"It is every team's dream to appear at the World Cup and although we have six points so far, we still can't take things for granted."

Ghana currently lead Group D with six points from two matches.

Reuters

Comment 1 - 5 of 5

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  1. i think ghana has qualified beecuse dee are good­ players strikers middfields and devenders ghana has­ only lost once sinds 2008

    From barbara, on Fri 25 Sep 8:06PM

  2. gh still has a team so we r gonna win

    From derrickniiakaikojonettey, on Thu 13 Aug 2:58PM

  3. the ghanans can still be dangerous without this 4 key­ playersss.. so sudanese get prepared.. ;)

    From raskuba, on Thu 18 Jun 2:26PM

  4. I wonder why he's still called "Pantsil"­ Fro Christ's name.... it's PAINTSIL... Anyway,­ as a Ghanaian, I'd wish for Ghana to win the game­ and qualify for the World Cup in South Africa with a­ few games to spare... Though some of the players are­ out with injuries and suspension, I still hope the­ gaffer's gotten the urge to bring in worthy­ replacements...

    From Erskine Sam, on Thu 18 Jun 10:45AM

  5. Pantstill?!
    Last time I checked he was referred to as­ Paintsil.

    From The Northerner, on Thu 18 Jun 10:04AM
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