A medical report released to the GFA by officials of Sunderland indicates the rugged defender will be out for between three to four weeks after he picked up a knee injury four days ago.
In an interview with editor of Kickoff Ghana, Michael Oti Adjei who is with the team in Nelspruit, South Africa, vice chairman of the GFA, Fred Pappoe intimated he does not think Mensah will be able to make it to the tournament.
Mensah’s predicament comes at a time when Stephen Appiah, Laryea Kingston, and John Paintsil have been ruled out of the tournament due to injury. Essien is to return from injury just in time for the tournament.
A new replacement is yet to be announced for John Mensah, even though Derek Boateng gained a late call-up as replacement for John Paintsil.
Oti Adjei told Joy Sports Editor, Ernest Koranteng in the Nations Cup Diary Samuel Inkoom will be drafted into the right back position having initially been considered for a midfield role.
Dependable midfielder Anthony Annan is also reported to be suffering from a “small strain†but trained lightly with the team on Wednesday.
Michael Essien who is recuperating from a hamstring injury and is expected to arrive in the team camp next week.
With the absence of Stephen Appiah, John Mensah, Essien is the likely candidate to captain the team in the tournament scheduled to begin from January 10.
Meanwhile coach Rajevac says his concentration will not be on the injured players but on the materials available to him.
He hopes to make a great impact in the Angolan tournament.
Story by Nathan Gadugah/Myjoyonline.com