Ghana ask Essien to guard against indomitable Eto'o

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Andrew Feinberg

White House Correspondent

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 today. The defender misses the match in Accra after receiving a red card for a professional foul in Sunday's 2-1 quarter-final win over Nigeria.

"It's a big blow but we have to get on with it. That's just how it is," midfielder Sulley Muntari said. The Ghana coach Claude Le Roy has admitted it will be difficult to adjust the defence but has hinted that Michael Essien might be used at centre back against the 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 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. 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 their 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.

"It's not easy to play a team like Cameroon, they are physically very strong," the Tunisia coach Roger Lemerre said after his side were knocked out.

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 fewer than record-holders Egypt.

Cameroon's preparations were disrupted yesterday when Pfister was locked out of the ground ahead of a training session, prompting an angry exchange with local police. Police ordered groundstaff not to let Pfister in ahead of his team's session at the Ohene Djan stadium. The German coach, who has a long history of working in Africa, demanded to be allowed access from the stands but as groundstaff unlocked a gate police objected.

The 70-year-old Pfister then swore at the police, who swore back while bemused media looked on. Pfister eventually went through the gate after a member of the Cameroon delegation forced it open.

Pfister then criticised the condition of the pitch, which has drawn widespread complaints since the opening game. Last week, Pfister launched a stinging attack on Nations Cup organisers, complaining about a delayed flight, lost luggage, dirty hotel rooms and a shortened training session. He also said organisers had not allowed his team to train in peace and quiet since they arrived in Ghana.

"This is a total disaster. I don't know if this is the Nations Cup or a tournament for children," he said

Egypt meet the Ivory Coast in today's other semi-final, in Kumasi, where the Ivorians, beaten by Egypt on penalties in the final two years ago, have a chance to avenge that defeat. Ivory Coast defender Kolo Touré, who missed the 5-0 quarter-final win over Guinea with a groin injury, is expected to return for the Elephants, who should give the defending champions by far their sternest test so far.

Egypt began with that 4-2 win over Cameroon then completed their group games with a 3-0 win over Sudan and a draw against Zambia. They avoided any of the big guns in the quarter-finals, when they still needed a lucky bounce to beat Angola 2-1 on Monday.

"Ivory Coast have a very good team but so have we," said Egypt's assistant coach Shawky Gharib. "We played them in the final and group phase at the last Nations Cup and they didn't beat us then, so we're not worried."

Ivory Coast sailed through their group phase with a 100 per cent record, then hammered Guinea 5-0 in the quarter-finals when four of the goals were scored in the last 20 minutes. However, they appear to have been distracted by the controversy over striker Didier Drogba's failure to win the annual African Player of the Year award.

Drogba was not allowed by his team to attend the ceremony in Togo last Friday and the award went instead to Mali's Frédéric Kanouté. Ivory Coast spokesman Jean-Claude Djacas said the Confederation of African Football had planned to give the award to the Chelsea forward but decided not to after he stayed with his team in Ghana – an allegation CAF have denied.