Michael Essien has lifted the lid on his World Cup heartache, revealing he did all he could to make the cut.
Ghana star disappointed to miss out on World Cup
Michael Essien has lifted the lid on his World Cup heartache, revealing he did all he could to make the cut.
The Chelsea midfielder will be nothing more than a spectator in South Africa this summer after being forced out of the tournament with a knee injury.
He tore medial ligaments while training with Ghana during the African Cup of Nations in January.
That setback forced him to sit out the remainder of the Premier League season and cast his participation at the World Cup into doubt.
The 27-year-old hoped he would be able to recover in time to join up with his international team-mates, and was named in Ghana's preliminary 30-man squad, but has reluctantly been forced to accept that his dream is over.
"Since my injury in January I had been working hard to come back for Chelsea and Ghana, but it wasn't to be," Essien said on Chelsea's
official website.
Emotional
"I did everything I could but eventually I succumbed to the injury and had to accept the fact that the body takes its own time to heal and you cannot rush things.
"I had my last assessment over a week ago with the Chelsea and Ghana doctors present.
"It took place at the hotel where all the Ghanaian players were staying and coming out of that meeting was very emotional for me.
"I spoke to Stephen Appiah, the captain, and all the other guys about my inability to join them and you could tell how disappointed they were.
"I have to admit no-one was more disappointed than me but that's life and I have to move on.
"I would like to wish the Black Stars the best of luck in South Africa. They need our support and all Ghanaians should get behind them."
