Mensah out of Libya game

Ghana will be without stand-in captain,

John Mensah when they play Libya in a Group Five joint 2010

World Cup and African Cup of Nation's qualifier in Tripoli on

Friday.

Black Stars coach Milovan Rajevac told GNA Sports that

Mensah who is suffering from a calf injury has lost his race against

time to make the team.

Rajevac said Mensah’s team Doctors at Olympique Lyon

communicated the extent of the player’s injury to him last Sunday.

“He has not been training and he is currently working on

regaining his fitness.”

This is contrary to earlier reports that the defensive pillar would

be available for the game that Ghana must win to authenticate their

position at the summit of their group.

In the absence of the acting captain, Eric Addo who has also just

returned from an injury sustained at the team’s qualifier against

Gabon in Libreville in June is expected to partner Issa Ahmed in

central defence.

Mensah has played in all four previous qualifiers.

Meanwhile, coach ‘Milo’ confirmed to GNA Sports that Sulley

Muntari would be available for the encounter despite growing

concerns over his match fitness.

Muntari was substituted by Luis Antonio Jiminez on 72 minutes

of Inter Milan’s Serie A opener against Sampdoria on Saturday with

a suspected injury.

Milo told GNA Sports “From what I know he will be ready for

the game on Friday”.