Fulham defender John Pantsil out of African Nations Cup

Fulham defender John Pantsil has been forced to withdraw from Ghana's squad for the African Nations Cup finals after picking up an injury, the Ghana Football Association said on Thursday.

He will miss the tournament in Angola after twisting a knee in his club's 2-1 defeat at Chelsea. Ghana have named Derek Boateng of Getafe as replacement, association spokesman Randy Abbey said.

Ghana are grouped with Ivory Coast, Burkina Faso and Togo at the tournament. They play their first game against Togo on January 11.

Squad:
Goalkeepers: Daniel Agyei (Liberty Professionals), Richard Kingson (Wigan Athletic), Philemon McCarthy (Hearts of Oak) 

Defenders: Eric Addo (Roda JC), Lee Addy (Bechem Chelsea), Harrison Afful (Esperance), Samuel Inkoom (FC Basle), John Mensah (Sunderland), Hans Sarpei (Bayer Leverkusen), Isaac Vorsah (Hoffenheim)

Midfielders: Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu (Sampdoria), Opoku Agyemang (Al Sadd), Anthony Annan (Rosenborg), Dede Ayew (Arles-Avignon), Rahim Ayew (Zamalek), Derek Boateng (Getfae), Haminu Dramani (Lokomotiv Moscow), Michael Essien (Chelsea), Moussa Narry (Auxerre)

Forwards: Dominic Adiyiah (Fredrikstad), Matthew Amoah (NAC Breda), Kwadwo Asamoah (Udinese), Asamoah Gyan (Stade Rennes)