Ghana coach Milovan Rajevac insists Michael Essien will be the captain of the Black Stars at the Cup of Nations despite opposition from a section of the fans.

The Chelsea star's recent criticism of the authorities over the axing of Sulley Muntari has not gone down well with some Black Starssupporters who agree with the decision.

Muntari was left out of the Ghana squad on the grounds of discipline but Essien said the Inter Milan player's absence robs the squad of experience.

This infuriated a section of the Ghanaian public who has been campaigning for Essien not to be given the leadership role.

But the Serbian is confident the Chelsea midfielder will be able to do professional job in the absence of Stephen Appiah and John Mensah.

“There is a hierarchy in the team and in the absence of Stephen Appiah and John Mensah, Essien is next as captain," Rajevac said.

"I expect that with his professionalism he will lead the team well. He will definitely be captain with a lead role to play.”

The decision to leave Muntari out of the Ghana squad has been supported by a vast majority of the Black Stars fans with indiscipline slowly creeping into the squad.

But the Serbian coach is not keen on starting a new rumpus in the squad even though Essien openly criticised Muntari's axing.

In 1992 the decision to appoint Abedi Pele as the captain of theBlack Stars - bypassing Kwesi Appiah - led to a huge division in the team and the country.