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

01.06.2010- Eriksson names 23-strong Ivory Coast squad

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

04.04.2010- I leapt at Ivory Coast World Cup chance, says Eriksson

29.03.2010- Eriksson backs Elephants to leave mark on World Cup

28.03.2010- Sven-Goran Eriksson named new Ivory Coast boss

25.03.2010- Ivory Coast's Djakpa set to miss World Cup

13.03.2010- Hiddink rejects Ivory Coast approaches over World Cup

12.03.2010- Hiddink set for Ivory Coast

10.03.2010- Troussier, Hiddink 'bidding for Ivory Coast job'

03.03.2010- South Korea to get homework after Ivory Coast win

12.02.2010- Gerets new Ivory Coast coach

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

01.02.2010- Angola pledges to keep using Nations Cup stadiums

31.01.2010- Supersub Gedo the hero as Egypt retain African crown

29.01.2010- Ghana sweat on skipper Kingson

29.01.2010- Ugly wins are beautiful for Ghana coach Rajevac

28.01.2010- Egypt crush eight-man Algeria, reach Cup of Nations final

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

23.01.2010- Ghana protest raises temperature ahead of Angola clash

23.01.2010- Rusty Ivory Coast tackle angry Algeria

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- Huge blow for Ghana as Essien ruled out

17.01.2010- Ghana star Essien injures knee at training

17.01.2010- Angola coach rejects draw option against Algeria

16.01.2010- Giant-killers Gabon target Tunisia scalp

16.01.2010- Beware wounded Cameroon Lions, warns Zambia coach

16.01.2010- Egypt into last Cup of Nations eight, Nigeria edge closer

16.01.2010- Benin made to pay the penalty by Nigerians

16.01.2010- I.Coast into quarters, chaos reigns at Cup of Nations

16.01.2010- Egypt seek Mozambique springboard to knock-out stage

16.01.2010- Win or bust for Nigeria and coach Shua

15.01.2010- Ivory Coast reach Africa Cup quarter-finals

15.01.2010- Cup shambles leaves Mali out in the cold

15.01.2010- Algeria press turn their backs on national team

14.01.2010- Algeria first World Cup team to win in Angola

15.01.2010- Angola win first match, edge towards last eight

15.01.2010- Injury-ravaged Ghana bank on Essien against Ivorians

14.01.2010- Flavio, Manucho help Angola down Malawi

14.01.2010- Algeria defeat Mali to boost Cup of Nations hopes

14.01.2010- Mali, Algeria eager to atone for bumpy Cup starts

14.01.2010- Mali, Algeria, eager to atone for bumpy Cup starts

14.01.2010- Giantkillers Malawi have Angola in their sights

13.01.2010- Former champions Tunisia held by Zambia

13.01.2010- Gabon wins shocker over Cameroon in Cup of Nations

13.01.2010- Algeria, on the ropes: coach

13.01.2010- Martins departs Angola for injury treatment

13.01.2010- Cameroon star Eto'o sends painful warning to Gabon

12.01.2010- Wounded Eagles wary of falling prey to the Cup curse

12.01.2010- Mozambique deny Benin first Nations Cup victory

11.01.2010- Cup history beckons as Benin confront Mozambique

12.01.2010- Champions Egypt, Nigeria in top spot battle

11.01.2010- Another shock as Burkina Faso hold Ivory Coast

11.01.2010- Malawi beat disappointing Algeria 3-0

11.01.2010- Angola police hold 2 after Togo team attack

11.01.2010- Algeria loom for miracle workers Mali

11.01.2010- Two held in Angola after rebel attack on Togo team

11.01.2010- We must defeat Malawi, says Algeria playmaker Ziani

10.01.2010- Shell-shocked Togo leaves as Africa Cup opens

10.01.2010- Mali make miracle recovery to draw with Angola

10.01.2010- Africa Cup of Nations opens with condemnation of rebel attack

10.01.2010- Angolan president condemns rebel attack on Togo team

10.01.2010- Africa Cup of Nations opens, after attack on Togo team

10.01.2010- Togo sends plane to bring team home: PM

10.01.2010- Togo football team must come home: government

10.01.2010- Togo in dramatic African Nations Cup u-turn

09.01.2010- Wary favourites I.Coast launch Nations Cup campaign

09.01.2010- Togo players decide to compete in Cup of Nations

09.01.2010- Togo recalls team from African Nations Cup: Lome

09.01.2010- Togo want to quit cup after attack: player

09.01.2010- Angola dare not lose, warns former coach Goncalves

09.01.2010- Togo team mulls Nations Cup pull out after gun attack

09.01.2010- Football chiefs probe Togo team shooting

08.01.2010- One dead, nine hurt in attack on African football stars

08.01.2010- Gunmen wound four in attack on African football stars

08.01.2010- Togolese team fired on in Angola, injuries: report

08.01.2010- Essien boost for Ghana

08.01.2010- Upbeat Mali plan to ambush Cup hosts Angola

07.01.2010- Nations Cup throws spotlight on Cabinda's troubled past

05.01.2010- Strong French presence at African Nations Cup

05.01.2010- Ivory Coast tipped for African Nations Cup

05.01.2010- I.Coast favoured as Nations Cup launches African feast

03.01.2010- Ivorian coach worried over players' fatigue

03.01.2010- Ghana coach faced with injuries for Nations Cup

29.12.2009- African Nations Cup ticket sales delayed

18.11.2009- Weakened Ghana survive in Angola

09.09.2009- Angola on track for Nations Cup - CAF

08.09.2009- CAF to discuss Angola's African Nations Cup readiness

Chelsea star and Ghana captain's Michael Essien, seen here in 2009, is not due to join his national side until Wednesday after his flight was delayed in England due to the big freeze.

If Ghana are to topple pre-tournament favourites Ivory Coast in the Africa Cup of Nations on Friday they will probably have to do so without key midfielder Michael Essien.

The Chelsea star and Ghana captain's arrival in Angola has been delayed due to the big freeze in Britain and he is not due to join up the Black Stars now until Wednesday.

Another pivotal member of the World Cup qualifiers' squad, Rosenborg midfielder Anthony Annan, is definitely unavailable having picked up a left knee injury.

"Annan won't be ready for Friday and Essien doesn't join us until tomorrow morning," Ghana's Serb coach Milovan Rajevac said on Tuesday in Cabinda.

He added: "We want to win this competition but this first game is going to be interesting pitting our very young team against one of the best and most experienced sides in Africa."

Rennes striker Asamoah Gyan said they would miss the pair for the game against Didier Drogba's Ivory Coast, who were surprisingly held to a goalless draw by group minnows Burkina Faso in their opening game on Monday.

"We knew it though and we're ready. Before, our strength was in midfield, now we're going to have to see."

Essien's absence would be a huge blow for four time Africa Cup of Nations winners' Ghana who have had to contend with a string of injuries to key players with central defenders John Pantsil and John Mensah and midfielders Stephen Appiah and Laryea Kingston all ruled out.

This is Ghana's first run out in Angola after their first match was abandoned following Togo's exit from the competition in the wake of last Friday's deadly gun attack on the team bus by separitist rebels in this troubled northern province.