LONDON (AFP) - Ghana coach Claude Le Roy believes his side can live up to their billing as favourites to win the African Nations Cup as long as Michael Essien stays fit.

Le Roy made Essien captain for his country's 1-1 friendly draw against Senegal in London on Tuesday and was rewarded with a typical lung-bursting display from the Chelsea midfielder.

Essien's performance was even more impressive considering he had played in Chelsea's Premier League match at Liverpool just 48 hours earlier.

"Michael is a not a normal player, he is from another planet," Le Roy said. "I was telling him there is no player of his level anywhere in the world.

"It is unbelievable. He played on Sunday, came on Monday for training, he didn't ask me for a rest but I took him off before the end. I hope (Chelsea manager) Jose Mourinho is happy that I didn't play him for 90 minutes.

"With Michael in the team anything is possible."

Essien may be essential to Ghana but he was a reluctant captain as he stood in for the injured Stephen Appiah.

"When I called him from Ghana a few days ago he said 'are you sure coach?' Then he said 'OK, for one game, then when they come back I will let them do it'. But he was a fantastic captain," Le Roy added.

Ghana are expected to put up a strong showing when they host the African Nations tournament in January and the French coach expects them to succeed with Essien at the heart of his side.

"We know it will be difficult and we will have to show a lot of sacrifice. But with our fans behind us as the host nation we will be the favourites," he added."

Essien insists he will join up with Ghana on time for the finals, which begin on January 20, even though Chelsea are keen to delay his departure.

"It's something that the clubs know before they sign African players," Essien said. "It is a massive blow for the clubs but we need to go and help our country.

"Of course I know the tension it causes, but I can't help it. I have to answer to my national team. I committed to my national team."

Gyan Asamoah gave Ghana the lead on the stroke of half time when he ran onto Sulley Muntari's pass and drove a low shot past Tony Sylva.

But Diouf had the last word when he pounced on Babacar Gueye's shot and finished from close range in the 73rd minute.

Senegal captain Diouf believes the way his side competed against Ghana shows they can make a big impact in the tournament.

The Bolton forward sees no reason why the Lions of Taranga shouldn't reach the final, but he is fed up of talking a good game and just wants Senegal to prove how good they are where it counts.

"It gives us confidence to play a big team like Ghana and do well," Diouf said. "If we have a result like that in the African Nations I will be very happy.

"We have a big chance but we don't need to talk, we need to do it.

"Every Senegal player wants to do something at the African Nations. We need to see the Senegal team play the final in Ghana."

Diouf and several of his Senegal team-mates made their names with some impressive displays at the 2002 World Cup.

They shocked holders France in the opening game and Diouf is starting to get the feeling Senegal could be on the verge of another successful period to rival that one.

He said: "I can't do everything by myself. I need the team and they need me. That is why I'm happy to see the team is more like it was in 2001 and 2002.

"My performance today was like the team performance. If the team plays good then El Hadji plays good. If the team doesn't play good, I don't."