CABINDA, Angola - Ghana have been refused permission to switch the venue of their last Africa Cup of Nations Group B game from Luanda to Cabinda, a spokesperson said yesterday.

CABINDA, Angola - Ghana have been refused permission to switch the venue of their last Africa Cup of Nations Group B game from Luanda to Cabinda, a spokesperson said yesterday.

Ghana, who take on Ivory Coast in Cabinda today, wanted to remain in the northern enclave for Tuesday's game against Burkina Faso.

"We asked the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to stay in Cabinda for this last game but our request has not been granted," a Ghana FA spokesperson said.

The CAF decision means that if Ghana finish top of the group they will have to fly back to Cabinda for their quarterfinal.

However, they will remain in Luanda if they end up in second place.

Ghana have yet to play a game in this year's Nations Cup after their opening match against Togo was cancelled after the departure of their West African neighbours in the wake of the deadly gun attack on their bus.

"I (would) like to express my sincere condolences to the people of Togo for the tragic events at the start of the tournament," Chelsea midfielder Michael Essien, who joined the squad on Wednesday, told the Ghana FA website (www.ghanafa.org).

"I hope they can overcome the tragic scenes they witnessed as soon as possible," Essien said. "Football unites us all and hopefully we can carry on with the tournament peacefully to bring joy and happiness to everyone." - Reuters