Michael Essien and Salomon Kalou followed John Mikel Obi's lead and played parts in international wins on Sunday.

With Ghana beating Gabon 2-0 at home and Ivory Coast big 4-0 home winners against Botswana, it means all of Chelsea's Africans see the international season end with their nations top of 2010 World Cup qualification groups.

Essien played the whole match in Accra, Ghana scoring a goal in each half with Portsmouth's Sulley Muntari netting the second. The score was a reverse of Gabon's win a week ago and after four games played, Ghana lead their group from Libya on goal difference.

Although Didier Drogba was unavailable, Kalou was back from injury for Ivory Coast and he was introduced in the 71st minute for Sekou Cisse, one minute after the withdrawn player had scored his second and his team's fourth. Tottenham's Didier Zokora was also on the scoresheet.

The Ivorians move three points clear of Botswana at the head of their group but unlike Mikel's Nigeria, Ghana and Ivory Coast still have work to do in the remaining two matches to reach the second qualification group stage for the next World Cup.