Tireless midfielder Emmanuel Agyemang Badu has been ruled out of the semi final game between the Black Stars of Ghana and Chipolopolos of Zambia in the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations in Gabon/Equatorial Guinea.

Agyemang Badu, who sustained a knee injury in the crucial quarter final game against Tunisia last Sunday, could not train with the team on Tuesday, when the team rounded up its preparations for the game scheduled for Wednesday evening.

The player, who has since the commencement of the tournament paired with Anthony Annan in midfield and emerged the Most Valuable Player in the last game is, however, expected to return in the next game of the competition.

Information gathered from the camp by the GNA Sports in Bata reveals that the technical team will consider introducing Derek Boateng as a valuable replacement for the ‘workaholic’ midfielder.

Boateng, who in recent times assumed a regular playing time in the team, is expected to use the opportunity to make a case for himself as Ghana seeks to overcome the South Africans to book a place in the finals and annex the ultimate Cup.

By Veronica Commey, (GNA Special Correspondent in Bata, Courtesy Ministry of Youth and Sports)