Ghana are hopeful over the chances of former Sunderland forward Asamoah Gyan returning to reignite their African Cup of Nations campaign against Algeria on Friday night.
Avram Grant’s side were beaten 2-1 in their opener against Senegal on Monday, a match Gyan missed after being struck down by a mild bout of malaria.
“Gyan is a very important player for us,” stand-in captain Andre Ayew said, “a leader, our captain.”
South Africa take on Senegal in Friday night’s later match sitting bottom of the group after their 3-1 defeat to Algeria.
Rivaldo Coetzee (knee) misses out but Mulomowandau Mathoho and Reneilwe Letsholonyane both return from suspension.
Senegal could include Southampton’s Sadio Mané, who has returned to training. The 22-year-old was ruled out of the tournament by his club manager, Ronald Koeman, only for his country to name him in the squad even though he had not fully recovered.
In today’s games, Tunisia maintained their unbeaten start to the tournament, coming from behind to beat Zambia 2-1 after Southampton’s Emmanuel Mayuka had given the Zambians the lead. Ahmed Akaichi and Yassine Chikhaoui turned the match around for the North Africans.
Tunisia top Group B with four points after Cape Verde and DR Congo shared a goalless draw. Cape Verde had the better of the first half, while the West Bromwich Albion midfielder Youssouf Mulumbu, who captains Congo, was taken off on a stretcher early on with what appeared to be a hamstring injury.