I want to help Ghana qualify for Nations Cup – Essien

Ghana and Chelsea’s midfielder Michael Essien says he wants to help the Black Stars to qualify for the African Cup of Nations which will be held in Equitorial Guinea and Gabon in 2012.

According to Essien who has also announced his comeback to the national team after a long break, he is ready to join his colleagues to help the country to qualify.

“I really want to help my country to qualify for next year’s Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) so I am ready to join my colleagues to help the country to qualify”, the midfielder’s website said in a story culled from the BBC.

He added, “I still have a lot to offer my country and it never crossed my mind to retire from the national team.”

Ghana plays Congo on June 6, 2011 in Group I of the ACN qualifiers and it is widely expected that Coach Goran Stevanovic will give the player a call-up.

Essien’s last match for the Black Stars was when Ivory Coast defeated Ghana at the 2010 Nations Cup in Angola.

By Ekow Quandzie