02.06.2010- Bayern's Turkey star Altintop extends contract

02.06.2010- Barcelona make official bid for Arsenal's Fabregas

02.06.2010- Marseille ready to splash out on Forlan: report

02.06.2010- Former Croatia defender Kovac hangs up his boots

02.06.2010- Redknapp expects Cole to snub Spurs

02.06.2010- Real's Mourinho eyes Gerrard: report

02.06.2010- Bent anguish at England axe

02.06.2010- Red Knights decide to halt United takeover bid

02.06.2010- Cannavaro signs for Dubai's Al-Ahli

02.06.2010- S.Africans learn tongue twister national anthem

01.06.2010- 'Oranje' squash Ghana in World Cup friendly

30.05.2010- Rajevac names Ghana World Cup squad

27.05.2010- Essien is ruled out of World Cup

21.05.2010- Boateng gets Ghana green light

19.05.2010- Essien on course to make World Cup

07.05.2010- Essien in preliminary Ghana World Cup squad

04.02.2010- Togo lodge legal complaint after rebel bus attack

02.02.2010- Ghana's Addy completes dream move to FC Porto

31.01.2010- Supersub Gedo the hero as Egypt retain African crown

30.01.2010- Nigeria beat Algeria for Nations Cup third place

29.01.2010- Ghana sweat on skipper Kingson

29.01.2010- Ugly wins are beautiful for Ghana coach Rajevac

28.01.2010- Ghana down Nigeria, into Africa Cup of Nations' final

28.01.2010- Ghana target Nigeria in west African derby

26.01.2010- World Cup maestro Bora lends Ghana support

24.01.2010- Ghana into semis as Angola's Cup party ends in tears

24.01.2010- Cameroon's Eto'o wants to halt Egypt humiliation

23.01.2010- Ghana protest raises temperature ahead of Angola clash

22.01.2010- Ghana upset at disgraceful Angolan intimidation

22.01.2010- Chelsea's Essien out for six weeks

20.01.2010- Ghana breathe easier, Mali protest, Togo keeper stable

19.01.2010- Ghana edge 10-man Burkina Faso, into Nations Cup quarters

18.01.2010- Ghana sweat on Essien for must-win Nations Cup game

18.01.2010- Egypt rest top stars against Benin

18.01.2010- Nigeria promised big pay day to win Nations Cup

17.01.2010- Ghana star Essien injures knee at training

15.01.2010- Ivory Coast reach Africa Cup quarter-finals

15.01.2010- Injury-ravaged Ghana bank on Essien against Ivorians

12.01.2010- Late arrival Essien uncertain for Ivory Coast

08.01.2010- Essien boost for Ghana

08.01.2010- Le Guen leads contenders Cameroon to Angola

05.01.2010- African football cup set to impact Premier League

03.01.2010- Ghana coach faced with injuries for Nations Cup

Ghana National football team player Micheal Essien controls the ball during their match against the Ivory Coast at the Chiazi stadium in Cabinda at the Africa Cup of Nations CAN 2010 on January 15.

Ghana suffered a collossal blow to their hopes of qualifying for the Africa Cup of Nations' quarter-finals when their best player, Michael Essien, was ruled out of Tuesday's game against Burkina Faso.

Chelsea's star midfielder misses the final Group B game in Luanda after injuring his right knee in training on Saturday.

Randy Abbey, Ghana's team spokesman, told AFP: "Unfortunately we have had the results of the scan back and the coach has confirmed that Michael will definitely miss Tuesday's game."

It was unclear how serious this latest setback was and whether Essien might recover in time to play any further role in Ghana's Nations Cup campaign should they progress to the last eight.

Ghana are one point behind Burkina Faso and the four-time champions need a win to avoid being eliminated after the first round of the biennial African football showpiece.

It is impossible to underestimate the effect Essien's absence will have on a side already ravaged by injury.

With a raft of key players missing the Black Stars fell 3-1 to competition favourites Ivory Coast in their opening game with coach Milovan Rajevac having to field a largely inexperienced side.

A fully fit Essien would have given Ghana strength and experience in midfield against a Burkina Faso side that was good enough to hold the Ivory Coast to a goalless draw in their opening Group C game.

Essien, who arrived in Angola late for the tournament because snow delayed his flight from London, has been struggling to recover from a hamstring injury sustained playing for Chelsea in the Champions League last month.

He was kept on the bench until half-time against Ivory Coast last Friday in Cabinda to avoid aggravating the injury and his second-half presence on the pitch could not prevent a 3-1 loss.

This new injury is completely unconnected to his previous problem and represents a cruel twist of fate for the Ghana international.