After Mozambique and Mali coaches left their jobs this week it was the turn of players from the same nations to announce their international retirements.   Mali striker Frederic Kanoute and Mambas’ talisman Tico-Tico both called time after their sides failed to reach the last eight of the African Nations Cup.   Kanoute’s retirement is the more surprising as the 32-year-old still plays top-flight club football, for Sevilla in Spain’s La Liga.   He said of Mali’s elimination: “I can’t find the words to describe how upset I am.”

Nevertheless, he had a go, adding: “It really hurts. After we were knocked out in 2008 we really wanted to do well here.”

Tico-Tico, real name Manuel Bucuane, had announced before the tournament that this would be his international swansong.

He said: “It didn’t end the way I hoped.” But he added: “I’ve really enjoyed myself. I played in three Nations Cup tournaments. We haven’t achieved much as a team, but personally I think that’s an achievement.”

The 36-year-old played 85 times for the Mambas, and is their all-time top scorer with 27 goals.

The knee injury which ended Ghanaian captain Michael Essien’s tournament will force him to miss up to six weeks, according to his EPL club Chelsea.

Blues manager Carlo Ancelotti said: “He had a tear in the meniscus. He is out for four-to-six weeks…I hope four.”