CAN 2008 UPDATE : Ghana VS Ivory Coast

Hosts Ghana came from behind to claim a consolation third-place finish at the Africa Cup of Nations after beating Ivory Coast in a six-goal thriller.

Sulley Muntari's swerving 25-yard free-kick gave Ghana the lead on 10 minutes before Ivorian Boubacar Sanogo hit back with a quick-fire brace.

Quincy Owusu-Abeyie 's equalised after half-time with a solo effort before Junior Agogo struck on 80 minutes.

Ghana's Hamanu Draman then sealed the win with a 25-yard shot on 85 minutes.

It is the best continental campaign for Ghana since they finished as runners-up at the 1992 Nations Cup held in Senegal.

Though the game was a non-event for many, the local crowd in Kumasi turned out in numbers to see their beloved Ghana play, in what many had hoped would be the two teams contesting the final.

And they witnessed a goalscoring feast as two of the pre-tournament favourites scrapped for the consolation prize.

Another superb goal was added to the list of crackers from this year's Nations Cup after only 10 minutes.

Muntari let rip with a 25-yard free-kick that swerved round the defensive wall and into the top corner, past a helpless Tiasse Kone.

The Elephants, driven on by captain Didier Drogba, were not to be outdone though, and they were soon back in the game when Kader Keita showed great vision to play a through ball to Sanogo.

The Werder Bremen-man strode into the Black Stars' box to place his shot past Kingson from 15 yards to equalise for the Elephants.

Sanogo's effort was the 94th goal of the 2008 tournament and made the Ghana event the highest scoring in Africa Cup of Nations' history.

The game was now dominated by the men in orange and a great double save was needed from Kingson to deny Salomon Kalou, who shot from the edge of the area, and then Drogba who pounced on the rebound with 30 minutes gone.

Drogba forced another save from Kingson again seconds later, but this time there was no stopping the rebound as Sanogo stretched to direct the ball in and claim his second.

The game was wonderfully open and Sanogo was only denied his hat-trick by the Ghanaian crossbar which he rattled on 38 minutes.

Ghana started the second half keen to get back on level terms, with Draman proving a thorn in the Ivorian's side on the right flank.



But the game's pace dropped markedly from the first half with a paucity of goal-scoring opportunities.

Then with 20 minutes left to play Owusu-Abeyie picked up the ball in the centre of the pitch and sprinted past two Ivorian defenders into the area to slot home and make it 2-2.

With penalties looming, the Kumasi Stadium was alive with cheers again and bizarrely suffered an invasion of insects that choked Michael Essien amongst others.



Agogo then bagged his third of the tournament when he was played through with a clever pass from Essien to complete the simplest of finishes from 10 yards.

Draman then put the icing on the cake when he cut in from the flank and shot from twenty yards out, only for his shot to take a wicked bounce off the turf to beat the diving Kone.




--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ghana: Kingson, Sarpei, Pantsil, Mensah, Addo (Barusso 90), Annan, Essien, Muntari, Draman (Afful 89), Agogo, Baffour (Quincy 20).
Subs Not Used: Adjei, Gyan, Kingston, Asamoah, Ayew, Kumordzi, Dauda, Asare, Alhassan.

Goals: Muntari 10, Quincy 70, Agogo 80, Draman 85.

Ivory Coast: Tiassa Kone, Boka, Zoro, Fae (Dindane 83), Romaric, Tiene, Zokora, Sanogo, Kalou (Gervinho 73), Drogba, Keita (Toure Yaya 64).
Subs Not Used: Barry, Toure, Gohouri, Arouna Kone, Meite, Bakari Kone, Loboue, Djakpa, Eboue.

Goals: Sanogo 24, 32.

Ref: Jerome Damon (South Africa).

CAN 2008 Preview: Ghana - Ivory Coast

Loser’s Final

Many soccer analysts had predicted that both the Elephants of Cote d’Ivoire and the Black Stars of Ghana would clash in Sunday’s final, but after two dramatic semi-finals encounters the tables have turned around spectacularly.

Both teams are meeting, but it’s the in third place playoff, or the losers' final!

Still In Shock

The shock around the Ohene Djan stadium after Alain Nkong’s goal gave the Cameroonians victory was tangible, with the hosts thus falling short at the second to last stage.

But to the neutral, such a sense of surprise could not even compared to that which pervaded the air in Kumasi when tournament favorites, the Ivory Coast were mercilessly dealt with by the defending Champions, the Pharaohs of Egypt.

The hosts have received the bulk of the coverage. Many Ghanaian supporters had expected their team to get to the final, so it was no surprise that defeat saw many verbal arrows fired in the direction of the squad and coach. Claude Leroy has been at the centre of many of these criticisms, with local journalists upset over his team selection for the game.

In all fairness to the well-traveled French coach, his options were quite limited, with several key players ruled out of the encounter.

Captain John Mensah had picked up a straight red card in the quarterfinal encounter against Nigeria, while Laryea Kingston and striker Asamoah Gyan were both ruled out due to injury.

The side therefore had only one out and out striker, Junior Agogo, while Michael Essien had to leave his natural midfield position to play as a makeshift central defender.

If the Ghanaians felt hard done by their loss, then the Ivorians surely did not know what hit them after the 90 minutes were over in Kumasi.

Kader Keita’s wonder strike was just about the only smiling point for the Elephants on the night, as Hassan Shehata’s wards ran riot. Didier Drogba was rendered an anonymous fellow, and the weak point of the Ivorians was exposed for the world to see.

Regaining Pride

In today’s game both teams will attempt to regain their pride, and the usual dull affair that characterizes third place playoff matches would be substituted for an entertaining match-up. The countries are neighbors and the stadium in Kumasi will likely be filled to capacity for the occasion.

In a further twist, both teams might attempt to give starting shirts to players who had been on the bench previously.

TEAM NEWS

Ghana

Coach Claude Le Roy will have his Captain John Mensah available for selection again, but Asamoah Gyan and Laryea Kingston are still very much doubtful to feature for the Ghanaians in this game.

Belgium-based defender Nana Kwasi Asare and local favorite Harrison Afful should get an opportunity to showcase their skills and talents.

Birmingham City goalkeeper Richard Kingston should remain in the number one jersey for the Black Stars, as Le Roy will be very much interested in winning this game.

The defensive line will witness the return of captain John Mensah, who should be assisted by Hans Sarpei, Harrison Afful and West Ham United’s wing back John Paintsil.

Michael Essien should return to his midfield role alongside Sulley Muntari, Ahmed Barusso of Galatasary and fan favorite Haminu Dramani.

Junior Agogo and Dede Ayew should hold the attacking line for the Ghanaians.

Ivory Coast

Coach Gerard Gili has an array of stars on his bench, and there is a direct replacement for every single position on the pitch available, save the goalkeeping role.

Barry Boubacar, who plays for Lokeren, suffered an injury in the first half of the game in Kumasi, with replacement Stephan Loboue not exactly covering himself in glory as a substitute. Nonetheless, he should remain in goal for the Elephants.

The defensive line should see the return of Marc Zoro, who will be joined by Emmanual Eboue, Arthur Boka and Abdoulaye Meite.

The midfield should feature Didier Zokora, Emersae Fae, AbdelKader Keita and possibly Christain Koffi Ndri.

In attack may be the much-sidelined Arouna Kone alongside Werder Bremen forward Boubacar Sanogo, with Drogba given a rest.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Ghana

Michael Essien - The Chelsea player has been the strongest point forthe Ghanaians so far in the tournament, although the decision of Claude Leroy to shift him into the central defensive position in the last game took the bite out of the Ghanaian attack. He should return to his normal role today and bring back life to the Black Stars.

Ivory Coast

AbdelKader Keita - The Olympique Lyonnais man was all over the pitch during his team’s 1-4 loss to Egypt and crowned his efforts with an absolute screamer of a goal. Though the strike wasn’t enough for victory, he will want to make sure his efforts count for something in today’s encounter.

PREDICTION

This encounter is going to be a keenly contested affair, as both teams will want to leave the tournament with some form of dignity at the very least.

There will be lots of goals in this game as the players will want to give their all on the field of play.

I expect the Ivorians to clinch this one as they are more tactically disciplined than the Ghanaians. The strength of their bench is much deeper than that of the Black Stars, too.

The Ghanaians will give their best in front of their home fans, and would not want to disappoint them for a second time, but I don’t think mere resolutions will be enough to save them.

Ghana 1 - 3 Ivory Coast

Essien Wants To Face Drogba In A Ghana-Ivory Coast Final

Chelsea team-mates Michael Essien and Didier Droigba would line up on opposing sides in Essien's 'dream' final of the African Cup of Nations.

Both Ghana and Ivory Coast won their opening group matches in the African Cup of Nations, keeping alive the possibility that the Black Stars could meet the Elephants in the final. And that is a p[rospect that appeals to Chelsea midfielder Michael Essien.

He would love to meet his Stamford Bridge buddy Didier Drogba, who captains Ivory Coast, in the final.

Essien's Ghana, who are hosting the tournament, secured a win in their opening game of the tournament when they beat Guinea 2-1 on Sunday evening.

Afterwards, midfielder Essien told Setanta of the burden of expectations that comes with being hosts:

“People think Ghana are favourites because we are playing at home but it doesn’t guarantee a win in any competition in the world,” Essien said.

“It is added pressure for the team but we are ready to fight to be champions. We have shown it during the first game against Guinea by playing until the end.”

Portsmouth star Sulley Muntari produced the stunning late finish by which Ghana defeated Guinea, but Essien, 25, is confident of getting beyond the group stages.

“If we watch the other groups and analyse the other teams, I think that our major ivals are Ivory Coast, Cameroon, Nigeria and Egypt. The winner will come from that quintet,” he said.

“A final against the Ivorians and with Didi [Didier Drogba] in the attacking lines would be a great battle on the field. Most of the players know each other from playing in Europe and it would make the game more intense.

“In the last few days at Chelsea Drogba told me to prepare myself because he is not going to offer us anything if we play each other in the Cup.

“The positive thing is that I know him well and I know some of his defects,” he said.

Ghana 2008 Preview : Ghana - Guinea

CAN 2008 Preview: Ghana - Guinea

What: African Cup of Nations, Group A, Matchday 1
Who: Ghana (0 points) vs. Guinea (0 points)
When: 1800 CET, Sunday, January 20, 2008
Where: Ohene Djan Stadium, Accra
All eyes turn to Afrcia this evening as the always colourful Cup of African Nations kicks off in Accra, with tournament favourites and hosts Ghana facing outsiders Guinea.

Guinea Look For A Shock

However, if we have learnt anything from the tournament's history, it is that it produces more shocks and upsets than a World Cup and a European Championship put together.

More often than not, the form book goes right out of the window, which is precisely what Guinea will be looking for. Celtic defender Bobo Balde admitted as much, speaking exclusively to Goal.com's Francisco Acebo.

Exclusive: 'Bobo' Balde On Guinea's Chances

"Well, playing the opening match in Accra against Ghana isn't ideal, but in football anything is possible in any given match," he said.

"I wouldn't rule out our chances of causing a shock on Sunday. We hope to work hard enough to get a good result in the Cup. We can only succeed if we put in the maximum possible effort.

"This could be the last African Cup of Nations in my career, so I'm dreaming of success both for me and the team."

They may be aware of the task that likes ahead, but Guinea most certainly have no fear as they face Ghana in their den.

"I have no fear of Ghana's squad, nor [Michael] Essien," insisted Balde. "Guinea will line up with eleven players who are confident of doing well in this match.

"Playing in front of their own fans means that they [Ghana] have to win, while we'll have a more relaxed debut. Maybe this gives Guinea a small advantage."

Nouzaret Cautious Over Ghana Clash

An Open Group?

Balde also beleives that the group, also including Morocco and Namibia, is a very open one.

"Our group is very open. After Ghana we face Morocco and Namibia, and it's possible for us to succeed," he adds. "The goal is to get to the quarter finals - after that, we'll see. It depends on our opponent."

Guinea Aim For Semi-Finals

However, realistically speaking, it is almost unthinkable that Ghana will not make it to the quarter-finals, so the race is between the other three teams to secure the other spot. Morocco and Guinea are expected to have to battle it out for second spot, as far as the form book goes.

In light of that, any result against the hosts will be a massive bonus for Guinea, and possibly help them put one foot in the next stage.

All Eyes On Essien



CAN 2008 Preview: Ghana

Michael Essien was always going to be Ghana's star attraction, but with Steven Appiah ruled out, the attention on him has almost turned into a frenzy, particularly among the English language media.

As hosts, however, there is tremendous pressure on the entire team, who must now come good on the promise shown in the 2006 World Cup.

"We feel special when we see what we mean to the fans," said the Chelsea midfielder. "They travel from all over the country to welcome us and the least I can do is stop and have a chat."



Portsmouth's Sulley Muntari is the other player who has received plenty of the limelight, and he is expected to partner Essien in the middle of what appears to be a high quality midfield despite Appiah's absence.

Ghanaian legend Abedi Pele agrees: "Ghana can go all the way because they are playing in front of their own fans with a strong squad. Losing Appiah will be overcome as Michael Essien - and Sulley Muntari - are both great midfielders."

Coach Claude le Roy, who guided Cameroon to title glory 20 years ago, however, is cautious. "Guinea are a skilful football team," he said. "They've got some of the best players in the French league.

"It's a well-balanced side and we know it'll be very complicated. They've players who can create problems, like Pascal Feindouno, but it's important we get a win on the table."

TEAM NEWS

Ghana

Muntari would usually have played a wide role, but he will now join Essien, leaving fit-again Hearts midfielder Laryea Kingston to take on a right sided position. Stephen Appiah's absence, then, seems to be well-covered.

Richard Kingson is likely to start in goal. Junior Agogo could join Asamoah Gyan in the front pairing, but this team's strength largely lies in the midfield. The defence could comprise players based in the Premiership, Bundesliga, Eredivise and Ligue 1 in the form of Paintsil, Sarpei, a delayed-position Addo, and Mensah.


Squad

Goalkeepers: Sammy Adjei, Fatau Dauda, Richard Kingson

Defenders: Hans Sarpei, John Paintsil, John Mensah, Nana Kwasi Asare, Sheila Illiasu, Harrison Afful

Midfielders: Anthony Annan, Laryea Kingston, Michael Essien, Sulley Ali Muntari, Andre Ayew, Bennard Yao Kumordzi, Ahmed Apimah Barusso, Eric Addo, Haminu Dramani

Strikers: Asamoah Gyan, Manuel Junior Agogo, Kwadwo Asamoah, Baffur Gyan, Quincy Owusu-Abeyie.

Guinea

Coach Robert Nouzaret will give plenty of room to talented St. Ettiene midfielder-cum-forward Pascal Feindouno, who is expected to star for Guinea. He will no doubt be marked out by Essien, and that battle could well determine the outcome of this game.

Further back, the defence will be marshalled by Bobo Balde, while Ibrahim Camara and Daouda Jabi should also take part in what is an imposing back line. Ismael Bangoura will look to link up well with Feindouno in the attack, which is perhaps the strongest part of this team: the midfield is a bit unsung in comparison.



Squad

Goalkeepers: Naby Diarso, Kemoko Camaram, Naby Yattara

Defenders: Ibrahima Camara, Bobo Balde, Kamil Zayatte, Alseny Camara, Ömer, Ibrahim Diallo, Habib Jean Balde, Daouda Jabi

Midfielders: Pascal Feindouno, Mohamed Cisse, Kanfory Sylla, Mohamed Sacko, Naby Soumah, Samuel Johnson, Mamadou Bah

Strikers: Fode Mansare, Victor Correa, Ismael Bangoura, Souleymane Youla, Karamoko Cisse

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Ghana: Michael Essien and Asamoah Gyan

It is almost impossible not to mention Essien. He will be called upon to inspire his team, and to keep his temper in check - something he was only too willing to admit can be an issue. Ghana can ill afford to do without him for even one game if they want to win this.

Gyan's battle with Balde will be an absorbing one to witness. Another one of the 2006 World Cup stars, he will need to make his team's hard work count on the scoreboard.

Guinea: Bobo Balde (photo shown )and Pascal Feindouno



One of the leading light's of Guinea's campaign, the sturdy Balde will be called upon to stamp his authority and keep Ghana in check. That will clearly be the first half of the plan, for if Guinea stay in the game, there is no telling what frustration and pressure from the crowd could do to the hosts.

Feindouno, meanwhile, will be charged with picking up the pieces, and making his impact against the likes of Essien. A couple of clinical counter-attacks, or one defence splitting pass, and we could have a shock on our cards.

PREDICTION

Guinea will not succumb easily, and it could be a while before the first goal arrives. But when it does, it could well become one way traffic. Ghana to win but Guinea to grab a consolation goal.

Ghana 3-1 Guinea

Source Goal.com

United retain top spot

Manchester United hung on to top spot in the Premier League with late goals from Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo sealing a 2-0 victory at Reading on Saturday.

United failed to put any daylight between themselves and Arsenal, however, with Togo striker Emmanuel Adebayor scoring twice as the Gunners returned to form with a 3-0 rout of Fulham at Craven Cottage.



Third-placed Chelsea rode their luck to beat Birmingham City 1-0 away thanks to Claudio Pizarro's late header. They stay four points behind the top two who have 54 points from 23 matches.

There is a yawning gap to fourth-placed Liverpool who are facing a stiff battle for fourth spot with Everton, Aston Villa and Manchester City. All four clubs are on 39 points.

Liverpool, who have only played 21 matches, are at Villa on Monday, while Everton travel to Wigan Athletic on Sunday when Manchester City host West Ham United.

While the top three all won, the bottom three all lost. Fulham's defeat makes them increasingly likely to join Derby County through the relegation trapdoor.

Bottom club Derby took the lead at Portsmouth before a Benjani Mwaruwari hat-trick ended a nine-hour goal famine for Pompey at home to seal a 3-1 win.

Sunderland stayed in the bottom three after a 2-0 defeat at Tottenham Hotspur, for whom Robbie Keane scored his 100th goal. Middlesbrough drew 1-1 at Blackburn Rovers.

United were stifled by Reading on the opening day of the season when they drew 0-0 at Old Trafford and goals were at a premium again, although there was no lack of chances.

The country's top scorer Ronaldo wasted several chances for United while Reading also had opportunities, the best of which fell to Dave Kitson who lobbed wide when through on goal.

With 15 minutes remaining, Rooney broke the deadlock, producing a cool finish after an instinctive pass by Carlos Tevez. Ronaldo broke away in stoppage time to take his league tally to 17.

"We kept making chances but you start to worry if you are going to get the goal," United manager Alex Ferguson told Sky Sports News. "We got the goal at the right time and hung on."

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger was a happy man after his side clicked into top gear against Fulham having dropped points against Birmingham in their last league game.



Two textbook headers from Adebayor and a Tomas Rosicky volley underlined their superiority and gave Wenger an afternoon free of worry.

"This was a very strong response to our last game and shows that this team is up for it," Wenger told the BBC. "There was still more in the locker if we needed it."

Nicolas Anelka was given his first start for Chelsea since arriving from Bolton Wanderers in a £15 million deal but it was Pizarro who earned the Londoners a gritty victory with his first league goal since the opening day, also against Birmingham.

Despite not playing well, Chelsea, without the likes of Didier Drogba, Frank Lampard, John Terry and Michael Essien, are still very much in the title race.

"At this stage of the season it was very important to win. We knew it would be a very difficult game because they drew against Arsenal last week," manager Avram Grant told the BBC.



Kevin Keegan began his second stint as Newcastle United's manager with a late kickoff at home to Bolton Wanderers.

Who will win Ghana 2008?

Exactly a week today, the 26th edition of Africa's elite national competition will kick off in Ghana. It is there that the continent's 16 best teams will do battle for the title of 2008 CAF Africa Cup of Nations champions and the right to represent the region at the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup.

Such have been the advances made by African football over recent years, with this month's tournament showcasing several of the world's foremost players, that it is almost universally expected that this Cup of Nations will be the most entertaining and keenly contested yet. Yet while it is generally accepted that the likes of Didier Drogba, Samuel Eto'o, Michael Essien and Obafemi Martins are poised to serve up a mouth-watering feast of football, the question remains: who will emerge triumphant?

Home advantage has proved decisive in the last two editions, with Tunisia and Egypt claiming the trophy in 2004 and 2006 respectively, and the bookies currently make Ghana narrow favourites to continue this trend. The Black Stars certainly impressed everyone with their performances at the 2006 FIFA World Cup™ and despite the absence of the influential Stephen Appiah, will doubtless be tipped by many of our users to claim their fifth Cup of Nations crown.

That would see them draw level with Egypt at the top of all-time standings, and the holders themselves could yet prove a force to be reckoned with, despite failing to impress during qualifying. Others, however, will view Côte d'Ivoire - 2006's beaten finalists - as a more formidable proposition, with the imperious Drogba at the forefront of the Elephants' impressive array of attacking talent.

What's your view? Do you think the Ivorians can add to their solitary Cup of Nations title? Of perhaps you believe the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon, with Eto'o fit once again, are better placed to add to their four previous continental crowns by claiming gold in Ghana?

Nigeria will also be strongly fancied, while Angola, Senegal, Tunisia and 2010 FIFA World Cup hosts South Africa are all seen as having a realistic chance of advancing to the latter stages. Do you expect one of them to emerge with the trophy?

What about the prospect of an upset? Pascal Feindouno has spoken to FIFA.com this week about Guinea's belief that they can shock the football world, and Benin, Mali, Namibia, Sudan and Zambia will also be aiming to prove that they aren't travelling to Ghana simply to make up the numbers.

It's time to nail your colours to the mast. Just click below on 'add your comment' and tell us who you believe will crowned be Kings of Africa.

Ballack helps Blues fight back

A first-half Danny Murphy penalty was cancelled out by Salomon Kalou's header and a Michael Ballack spot-kick after the break.

It was Roy Hodgson's first game in charge of Fulham, and he brought Moritz Volz back after a one-match suspension, while Diomansy Kamara came in for the suspended Hameur Bouazza.

After the players and crowd paid their respects to Motherwell captain Phil O'Donnell with a minute's applause, Fulham started well, Kamara firing in a low shot at the near post which Hilario parried.

Then Chelsea's Joe Cole put a perfectly-weighted pass through to Salomon Kalou but his effort was comfortably saved by Fulham keeper Antti Niemi.

Shaun Wright-Phillips fizzed a cross-shot past Niemi's right-hand post, but at the other end Moritz Volz broke into the penalty area and was tripped by Joe Cole. Referee Mark Halsey pointed to the spot and Danny Murphy sent Hilario the wrong way to get Hodgson's reign up and running with the first Premier League goal of 2008.



Although Chelsea were enjoying plenty of possession, Fulham were working prodigiously to impress the new manager.

Kalou went sprawling after pushing the ball past Niemi but the striker was offside so there was no question of a penalty.

After Tal Ben Haim fouled Clint Dempsey 30 yards out, Murphy curled the resulting free-kick over the bar. Then Hilario saved from Simon Davies before the break.

Chelsea manager Avram Grant made a half-time change, sending on Jon Obi Mikel for Steve Sidwell, and Chelsea were soon claiming a penalty when a Wright-Phillips cross struck Dejan Stefanovic's arm.

But the Blues were soon level, when Alex headed a Wright-Phillips corner back across goal for Kalou to nod home the equaliser.

Almost inevitably, they took the lead - and it was through another penalty. Michael Ballack had his shirt pulled by Dempsey as a Juliano Belletti free-kick floated into the area. Halsey again pointed to the spot and Ballack converted the spot-kick himself.

The German then fired in a 30-yard free-kick that flew narrowly wide, before Hodgson sent on Seol Ki-Hyeon for Volz, and Alexei Smertin (against his old team) for Steven Davis.


Moments later, Joe Cole shot narrowly wide as Chelsea asserted themselves and pressed home the initiative.

In Hodgson's last change, David Healy came on for Kamara with 15 minutes to go, but it was looking comfortable for Chelsea.

Healy quickly unleashed a volley from the edge of the area which flew over.



Fulham: Niemi, Volz (Ki-Hyeon 68), Bocanegra, Stefanovic, Konchesky, Davis (Smertin 70), Davies, Murphy, Omozusi, Dempsey, Kamara (Healy 77). Subs Not Used: Warner, Kuqi.

Booked: Stefanovic. Goals: Murphy 10 pen.

Chelsea: Hilario, Belletti, Alex, Ben-Haim, Bridge, Wright-Phillips (Pizarro 88), Sidwell (Obi 46), Essien, Ballack, Joe Cole (Ferreira 90), Kalou. Subs Not Used: Taylor, Sinclair.

Goals: Kalou 54, Ballack 62 pen.

Attendance: 25,357

Referee: Mark Halsey (Lancashire).

Essien targets Nations Cup glory

Michael Essien, the indefatigable Chelsea midfielder, will be one of the many high profile African players missing from the Premier League in January when the African Nations Cup takes centre stage.

Essien, who plays his international football for Ghana, the country staging the 2008 edition of the tournament, speaks to ESPNsoccernet on a variety of matters from Chelsea's Champions League draw and life at Chelsea under Avram Grant as well as the host country's chances in January's Nations Cup.

ESPNsoccernet: Michael, we've had the Champions League draw and Chelsea have been drawn with Olympiacos. What do you think of that?

Essien: I think it's a good draw for us and I think Olympiacos are a very good side. I think it's going to be interesting. We are looking forward to beating them and moving onto the next stage.

ESPNsoccernet: Disappointed that you didn't get your former club Lyon, or are you saving them for later? Maybe a final?

Essien: Well for me, I don't mind playing anyone. So it's good that we got Olympiacos and we'll show them what we can do.

ESPNsoccernet: How has it working with Avram Grant as the new manager?

Essien: I think so far so good. He's doing really well. We are getting our points. We are winning games. So I think he is doing well at the moment. Hopefully things will get better at the end of the season.

ESPNsoccernet: Chelsea will be very sad to lose you for the African Cup of Nations. Of course, it's a proud moment for you particularly that it's in Ghana, where you're from. How do you feel about going back home?

Essien: I feel great. We are hosting the Nation's Cup. I think the nation is expecting more from us. I think that puts pressure on us, but I think we can do it. For leaving my club to go and play is a little bit sad, but I have no choice. I have to go and help my country as well.

ESPNsoccernet: And just having a look at your group, you've got Namibia, Guinea, and Morocco. Not too bad, is it?

Essien: Well, for me, I think it's really tough, you know. Football now, you can't underrate anybody. Everybody can do it, so we have to take it seriously and work really hard. Hopefully we can win the group and go to the next stage.

ESPNsoccernet: The opening game is on the 20th of January and that's against Guinea. What sort of atmosphere do you think that'll be for the opening game?

Essien: It's going to be massive. I think that the nation just can't wait for us to start the tournament. It's going to be a really good game and I think hopefully we can win it.

ESPNsoccernet: Ghana had a great World Cup. How much has the team improved since that time?

Essien: Yeah, I think we did really well during the World Cup. Ever since, I think we won all of our friendly games. We only lost to Brazil I think, one to nil. I think the team is doing really well at the moment and we are confident that we can do something

ESPNsoccernet: You've got one of the most enviable midfields in the world with Appiah, Sulley Muntari, and yourself. How do you rate that as a midfield?

Essien: I think our strongest is in the midfield. Me, Muntari, and Appiah in the midfield I think is one of the best midfields in the world. They expected more from us so we've got a big, tough task ahead of us.

ESPNsoccernet: And if Ghana go all the way, who do you think would be your opponent in the final?

Essien: I don't know. I can't predict, but I would just say anybody. Anybody can get to the final.

ESPNsoccernet: In your opinion, what are the strongest sides out there? Maybe give us three or four names.

Essien: Ivory Coast, Ghana, Nigeria, Cameroon, Egypt, Morocco and Tunisia.

ESPNsoccernet: It's a great shame of course that Chelsea will be losing you, but not only you. There's some phenomenal African players such as (see if you can cut this part out) Didier Drogba, Salomon Kalou, and John Obi Mikel. How do you think Chelsea will cope in your absence?

Essien: I think it's a massive blow for the club. They will lose four important players. I think we've got great players who can do the job while we are away. So for me I don't think it'll be a big problem, because they can do the job.