ACCRA, Feb 2: Hosts Ghana meet regional rivals Nigeria in Accra on Sunday at the start of the business end of the African Nations Cup after a two-day break.

The quarter-final clash is the first of the knockout matches at the tournament, a derby with all the potential to continue the feverish pace of football that has characterised the event to date.

Ghana coach Claude Le Roy, who takes charge of a team at a record sixth Nations Cup, said it was the best he had been to since he started in 1986.

“In terms of technique it is vastly superior because the tournament actually has some of the best players in the world,” the Frenchman asserted.

Michael Essien has stepped into the void left by the injury to Ghana captain Stephen Appiah, inspiring the home side to three wins in Group ‘A’. Top strikers Junior Agogo and Asamoah Gyan, battling with minor ailments, have been restricted to light training over the last few days.

On the other hand, Nigeria need to maintain the consistency to reach a fifth successive African Nations Cup semi-final.

Chelsea midfielder Michael Essien remains the cog of the team’s midfield, which has Laryea Kingston back after a one-match suspension.

Nigeria coach Berti Vogts told reporters on Friday he would stick with a three-man midfield, in which Essien’s club mate John Obi Mikel is the pivot.

Nigeria have been to every Nations Cup semi-final stage since 2000 but their last title success was 14 years ago.

In the Cup’s second quarter-final on Sunday, Ivory Coast will take nothing for granted when they meet fellow West Africans Guinea.

The Elephants progressed from Group ‘B’ with a perfect points record to underline their credentials for a first title since 1992 in the tournament.

“We will go into this game with no apprehension but with a lot of respect for our opponents,” said coach Gerard Gili. “We know it is going to be a difficult game as it’s a knockout match and we will remain humble. However, we have a squad that has long been preparing for this type of encounter.”

The Ivorians will rely on Chelsea striker Didier Drogba, who has recovered from a knee injury suffered at the start of December and is keen to make amends for a penalty miss that cost his team in the shootout that followed the 2006 final against Egypt.

However, Frenchman Gili may have to do without centre back Kolo Toure, the Arsenal defender who picked up a groin injury during Ivory Coast’s 4-1 demolition of Benin in the group phase.

Gili said on Wednesday that the player, who trained separately on Thursday with a fitness coach, was doubtful. Marc Zoro, who scored in a 3-0 defeat of Mali earlier this week, will deputise should he be ruled out.

“To win the Nations Cup, you need a squad of 23 players at their best, with a lot of solidarity within the group,” said Gili, who believes Ivory Coast have what it takes to win the trophy.

On the other hand, Guinea will be without influential captain Pascal Feindouno, who was given a two-match ban for violent conduct during his team’s 3-2 victory over Morocco in Group ‘A’.

“I know my team-mates can do it without me,” the St Etienne striker said recently.

Striker Souleymane Youla said they would do their best.

“When he is on the field, every ball goes through him,” said the Lille player. “Everybody knows how important a player Pascal is but we don’t have a choice, we have to win without him and welcome him back for the semi-finals.”

Guinea coach Robert Nouzaret, who led Ivory Coast from 1996 to 1998 and between 2002 and 2004, said he would have preferred to play another team.

“I am happy to meet them, of course, but I would have preferred to play them in the final in Accra. However, playing Ivory Coast is a good thing for my players,” he stated.—Reuters