John Mensah will feature for Lyon in the Uefa Champions League

By Patrick Akoto

Ghanaian players will face tough tasks in the Uefa Champions League after the draw for the Group stage was held on Thursday night.

Ghana captain John Mensah should be fit to man the Olympique Lyon back line against Spanish giants Real Madrid in Group D.

The centre-back must be prepared to meet Croatian champions Dinamo Zagreb and former winners Ajax Amsterdam of Holland.

Midfielder Kevin-Prince Boateng must prove his worth against reigning champions Barcelona, BATE Borisov and Czech side Viktoria Plzen in Group H.

Sulley Muntari could be making his third Champions League appearance should he stay at Inter Milan which drew CSKA Moscow, LOSC Lille Métropole and Trabzonspor AS.

Ghana youth midfielder Mubarak Wakaso and his Villarreal side have been handed Manchester City, Bayern Munich and Napoli in Group A.

There is Ghanaian interest in Group F where Emmanuel Frimpong’s Arsenal and the Ayew brothers representing Olympique Marseille are set for a showdown.

The pool also includes Olympiacos and Borussia Dortmund.

If Michael Essien recovers, he will join the Chelsea players to battle Valencia, Bayern Leverkusen and Genk.

FC Porto mis-fit David Addy can earn some top flight European club competition football if he decides to stay on.

The 2004 champion will face Shakhtar Donetsk, APOEL and Zenit St. Petersburg.

2011/12 UEFA Champions League Group stage

Group A

FC Bayern München (GER)

Villarreal CF (ESP)

Manchester City FC (ENG)

SSC Napoli (ITA)

Group B

FC Internazionale Milano (ITA)

PFC CSKA Moskva (RUS)

LOSC Lille Métropole (FRA)

Trabzonspor A? (TUR)

Group C

Manchester United FC (ENG)

SL Benfica (POR)

FC Basel 1893 (SUI)

FC O?elul Gala?i (ROU)

Group D

Real Madrid CF (ESP)

Olympique Lyonnais (FRA)

AFC Ajax (NED)

GNK Dinamo Zagreb (CRO)

Group E

Chelsea FC (ENG)

Valencia CF (ESP)

Bayer 04 Leverkusen (GER)

KRC Genk (BEL)

Group F

Arsenal FC (ENG)

Olympique de Marseille (FRA)

Olympiacos FC (GRE)

Borussia Dortmund (GER)

Group G

FC Porto (POR)

FC Shakhtar Donetsk (UKR)

FC Zenit St Petersburg (RUS)

APOEL FC (CYP)

Group H

FC Barcelona (ESP)

AC Milan (ITA)

FC BATE Borisov (BLR)

FC Viktoria Plze? (CZE)