Black Stars captain, Stephen Appiah is ruing the absence of midfielder, Laryea Kingston following a four-match ban handed him by CAF’s disciplinary board.

Laryea and Senegalese defender Habib Beye were both handed sent off after their altercation on Friday during Black Stars’ 1-0 win overt the Teranga Lions.

Both players have been given four-match bans - meaning the two players will play no further part in the tournament.

The punishment was handed down by the Confederation of African Football, CAF, which also gave both players a US$1,000 fine.

Stephen Appiah admits that Laryea would be missed Ghana’s subsequent games.

"We're going to miss Laryea because he is a good player and has been helping me a lot in midfield," said Appiah.

But Appiah believes the Lokomotiv Moscow bound player did not deserve the red card.

"I have seen the red card again on television and I don't think he deserved to be sent off because he didn't do anything to their player.

"Everyone is playing very well but it's easy to see the difference between Laryea and the others. His absence will cost us a lot."

If Ghana defeat Zimbabwe in their final Group D game on Tuesday they are assured of a place in the quarter-finals - and even a draw would give them the runners-up spot should Nigeria beat Senegal in the other fixture.

"We have to approach the Zimbabwe game like we did against Nigeria and Senegal," added Appiah.

"We must be totally focused on winning because if we underrate them, they may cause a surprise."

Meanwhile, Stephen Appiah is a major doubt for Ghana’s last game with a badly swollen right foot, for which he is receiving round-the-clock treatment.