Ghana drew 0-0 with Senegal in England, without the services of midfielder Michael Essien who drew the biggest cheer of the night, in their friendly international against Senegal.

Essien, set to sign a 26 million pound ($47 million), five-year deal with English champions Chelsea, was not in the Ghana squad to play at third division Brentford's Griffen Park ground.

The 22-year-old midfielder arrived 54 minutes into the game and took a seat in the stands to rapturous cheers from the Ghanaian supporters.

Matthew Amoah squandered two early chances for Ghana before Fenerbahce midfielder Stephen Appiah missed a penalty on the stroke of halftime after Kingston Laryea was brought down by Rahmane Barry.

Four minutes after the break, Laryea had a chance to make amends but shot wide with an open goal at his mercy, while Senegal had Souleymane Diawara sent off near the end.

In the World Cup qualifiers, Ghana are top of Group Two in the African zone, equal on 15 points with South Africa, and host bottom team Uganda in their next match on September 4.

South Africa lost 4-1 to Iceland in Reykjavik, while Angola, leading Group Four of World Cup qualifying, beat Cape Verde 2-1 in Lisbon.

Starting Lineup: Sammy Adjei/George owu , John Painstil, Emmanuel Pappoe, John Mensah, Issa Ahmed, Hamza Mohammed, Laryea Kingston/Attram, Muntari Sulley/Yusif Chipsah, Isaac Boakye, Stephen Appiah/Yahuza, Mathew Amoah