UNITED KINGDOM: Ghana and Senegal finish honours even in their friendly match in London

El Hadji Diouf scored a second-half equaliser to give Senegal a 1-1 draw with Ghana in an all-African soccer match in London on Tuesday (August 21). Diouf, who plays for English Premier League side Bolton, scored in the 74th minute at the New Den stadium. Ghana, who included Chelsea's Michael Essien and West Ham defender John Pantsil in their starting line-up, led through Gyan Asamoah's well-taken goal just before the interval. Birmingham manager Steve Bruce, West Ham boss Alan Curbishley and several representatives from other English clubs were in the crowd at Millwall's New Den to watch unsettled Bolton striker Diouf and Fulham midfielder Papa Bouba Diop. It was Diouf who stole the show just a day after making it clear he is unhappy at Bolton as the Senegal captain's second-half strike cancelled out Gyan Asamoah's opener. Diouf said he was confident that Senegal could win the African Nations Cup if they qualify for next January's competition. He said: "We have a big chance but we don't need to talk yet, we need to do it. And I think today that every Senegalese player, you know, want to do something on the African Nations. We need to see the Senegalese team play the final in Ghana. We want to play the final in Ghana, you know, the African Nations Cup." Senegal have to beat Burkina Faso at home in their final qualifying match in September, but Diouf said he saw no reason to be worried. "I don't think that that's a big problem. If we play like today that's not a big problem. We play at home, we don't need to scare. Now in five years we never lose in Senegal, why we thinking bad things? I am positive." While Diouf may not be happy at Bolton, Senegal coach Henri Kasperczak has no doubts about his commitment to the Lions of Teranga and handed him the captain's armband. Kasperczak said he was happy with how his team fought back to draw the match at Millwall. He said: "I am personally pleased with the good reaction of the players after the goal and after the end of the first half. They are the reactions of players who wanted to achieve the best possible result, but we also saw a few interesting performances on the part of the Senegalese team." Ghana were playing their first match since March's defeat against Brazil, but there were few signs of rustiness. Haminu Draman was close to breaking the deadlock with a close range effort, only for Tony Sylva's sprawling save to keep him out. Captain Michael Essien admitted that returning to Ghana for the African Nations Cup in January would not please his Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho, but pointed out that club managers were well aware that players would return to Africa before they signed players from that continent. He said: "I think it's something the clubs know about before they sign African players. It's a massive blow for the club. We need to go out there and help our country." Ghana coach Claude Le Roy was without injured captain Stephen Appiah, another player believed to interest Curbishley, but he was still able to field a strong side including Chelsea midfielder Michael Essien and Portsmouth's Sulley Muntari. It was Muntari who provided the decisive pass as Ghana took the lead on the stroke of half-time. His perfectly-weighted ball sent Asamoah clear and the Udinese forward planted a low shot past Sylva at his near post. Le Roy admitted that Ghana were favourites to win the 2008 tournament because of their status as hosts, but said there were many other potential winners. He said: "Like Senegal, Nigeria, Ivory Coast, Cameroon. Maybe, you never know, Mali or Togo because they have qualified. Maybe a surprise like Guyana. There is always one surprise. We know that it will be difficult, we know that we will have to show a lot of discipline, a lot of sacrifice, but I think with our fans behind us as the host nation we are normally the favourites for this competition." Ghana gave a debut to Andre Ayew, son of Black Stars legend Abedi 'Pele' Ayew, in the closing stages. But the last word went to Diouf. Babacar Gueye's 74th minute strike cannoned into Diouf and he managed to control before calmly slotting home.

ITN Source | August 23, 2007

Tags:. .roy. .cancelled. .stroke. .qualifying. .qualified