Accra, Ghana (PANA) - Ghanaian national soccer team head coach Ratomir Dujkovic Thursday ruled out recuperating Michael Essien from his plans for the African Nations Cup, which kicks off in Egypt in seven days.

Essien, Africa's most expensive player, picked a knock while on duty for his English club Chelsea and though news was rife that he would be out for several weeks, the player made a dramatic recovery and began training three days ago.

But Dujkovic said in a telephone interview from the team's camp in Monastir, Tunisia that the Black Stars would go to the tournament without Essien as Chelsea had indicated in a fax message to him that Essien would not be fit to play in the African championship.

The Serbian coach of the Black Stars said he would not miss the services of any of his injured players, who include another midfielder, Sule Ali Muntari of Udinese of Italy, and striker Asamoah Gyan.

The coach noted that the Black Stars play as a team, so the absence of individual players would not seriously affect their strength.

On the Black Stars 0-1 loss to Togo in a friendly in Tunisia on Wednesday, Dujkovic said he was satisfied on the commitment of his players in the match and praised the combativeness of the Togolese.

He said despite the result against Togo, the Black Stars were still poised to achieve good results when the continental competition gets underway for his side 23 January against the Super Eagles of Nigeria.

Meanwhile, the Black Stars are scheduled to depart Monastir on Saturday for Tunis for a final friendly against the Tunisian national team before heading to Egypt on Tuesday, 17 January.

Coach Dujkovic is expected to announce his 23-man squad for the tournament on Saturday, FA sources said here.