Muntari's character far from sullied as he flies high for Ghana

Frenchman Claude le Roy (R) coach of Ghana's national football team, and Sulley Muntari attend a press conference February 4 in Accra after beating Nigeria in a quater final match against yesterday during the 2008 African Nations.

Ghana's Sulley Muntari has proved an invaluable element in Ghana's charge to the African Nations Cup semi-finals.

The long ball specialist's vision and two goal haul has helped take the hosts to just one step away from a shot at a record-equalling fifth title.

He produced a trademark 25 yard strike in the last minute to earn the Black Stars' a 2-1 opening win over Guinea and got the second in the 2-0 success against Morocco.

And in Sunday's quarter-final the player who was nominated as man of the match made the decisive pass for Junior Agogo to grab the injury time winner which knocked out bitter regional rivals Nigeria.

Muntari went into Sunday's game in good spirits after his Premiership club Portsmouth had earned a 1-1 draw with Chelsea 24 hours earlier, and the 2-1 win over the Super Eagles made it a weekend to remember.

"I was in tears after the game yesterday I was so happy to win. It's too early to say if we'll win the Cup, we've got a big game first on Thursday, but if we pull it off...I'll fly!"

Looking back to Sunday's well earned win he added: "It was very difficult for us, especially when our captain John Mensah was sent off.

"But we all got together, we're united as a group. We love each other very much, we respect each other and are dedicated to this tournament.

"We want to give our all to our nation."

Ghana's Sulley Muntari (L) fights for the ball with Guinea's's Pascal Feindouno (St Etienne/FRA) (R) January 20 in Accra during their 2008 African Cup of Nations match. Muntari has proved an invaluable element in Ghana's charge to the African Nations Cup semi-finals. The long ball specialist's vision and two goal haul has helped take the hosts to just one step away from a shot at a record-equalling fifth title.

Much has been made of the pressure the hosts' face each time they take to the pitch with Ghana, from President John Kuffour down to the street sellers outside the Ohene Djan stadium, willing the Black Stars on.

"There's a lot of expectation for us to do well," Muntari acknowledged.

"We had the same thing in the World Cup in Germany two years ago.

"There's no half measure, we're doing our best to make our supporters happy. That's what we're doing by winning games. The pressure may be on us, but we're through to the semi-finals.

"It was a great win against Nigeria, but that's not our objective, our aim is to win the title."

One of his greatest fans is streetwise veteran coach Claude Le Roy who has said there's no player like him in the world.

"I'm not saying he's the best in the world, but that he's got qualities that set him apart. He's very strong technically, and likes always to battle," the Ghana coach explained.