Ghana battle Namibia for Q/final ticket

Ghana take on Namibia Thursday knowing victory will assure them a place in the quarter-finals of the 26th edition of the African Cup of Nations sponsored by telecommunications giant, MTN.

But Black Stars defender John Pantsil is doubtful after suffering concussion in the win over Guinea.

The West Ham player could not remember anything of the first half after taking a heavy blow to the jaw and has been flown to Nigeria for an MRI scan.

Fellow defender John Mensah is nursing a thigh strain, while Shilla Illiasu is still out with an ankle injury.

Black Stars physical trainer Renard Herve is confident Mensah will be fit to face Namibia tonite.

"John can make it for today's important match against Namibia," said Herve. "It's worrying but he is responding well and we hope to get him ready."

Striker Asamoah Gyan, who scored Ghana's opening goal in the win over Guinea, missed Tuesday's trainnig session due to a toe injury but says he will be ready to face Namibia today.

Ghana beat Guinea 2-1 in their opening fixture while Namibia were thrashed 5-1 by Morocco.

Despite the margin of the Brave Warriors defeat, Ghana coach Claude Le Roy is wary of underestimating the South Africa side.

"With Namibia it's going to be a difficult game, we know that," said Coach Le Roy.

"They're a very good side, if they weren't they wouldn't be here."

Sulley Muntari was Ghana's hero in their opening game, scoring a spectacular late winner.

Muntari picked up a yellow card in that match and is now one booking away from a one-match suspension.

"I don't think it's going to affect me," said Muntari, who made his Nations Cup debut against Syli Nationale.

"I'm not going to change how I play. But maybe I will be a little bit careful. I don't want to miss any game because it's a tournament in which I want to continue playing and help my team to win."

Making only their second appearance at a Nations Cup, Namibia will hope to show greater defensive solidity than they did against Morocco.

"We have to keep our heads up and focus. We need to motivate ourselves to take on Ghana," said captain Michael Pienaar.