Essien battling psychological problem to making Ghana return - Nyantakyi

Posted On Saturday, 10th November 2012

Michael Essien will not be at the next AFCON

By Ameenu Shardow

Ghana FA boss Kwasi Nyantakyi says Michael Essien is battling a psychological problem in his bid to make a national team return.

The 29-year-old has asked to be excused from the Black Stars for the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations.

Essien sustained serious injuries while with the Ghana national team.

His recent injury, though not with the Black Stars, forced him to a loan move to Real Madrid following his redundancy at Chelsea.

The former Lyon midfielder has only started enjoying regular first team action with the Spanish giants – prompting calls to have him invited to the Black Stars for the Nations Cup.

But Essien has declared himself unavailable for now of which Nyantakyi believes is the Bison’s continued fight against negative embedded memories.

“I think that Michael Essien has a psychological problem and needs to be encouraged,” he said.

“On the two occasions that Michael got injured, the most serious injuries in his life: one was a cruciate ligament injury in Libya and another cruciate ligament tear in Angola, all occurred with the national team.”

“Sometimes when these players come, they complain about pitches in Africa, they complain about the risk in playing and so forth.

“So I think that he may be a bit apprehensive in coming back. We need to gradually tune his mind back.

Nyantakyi also adds the player is looking to secure his club future hence the need to understand his decision to stay away from the Black Stars.

“And at another time we realised that he had difficulty commanding first team selection in Chelsea.

“All these are challenges that can come the way of any of us. When I think about the national interest, I think he also needs to be given the benefit of the doubt.”

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READERS COMMENTS

vim says:

November 10, 2012 at 8:12 am

Watch Kotoko v Hearts Of Oak 2011-2012 Season here ————> http://wp.me/p2D15t-3V

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kantoose says:

November 10, 2012 at 8:44 am

well spoken. Essien needs more time, not this afcon. But you and your CAF cronies need to work on improving the African game standard. I call african football Karate Shaolin Kungfu. KSK Soccer!
only in africa we get 0 yellow cards for a whole game even when theres human hacking everywhere on the pitch. shameful.

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- pk says:
  
  November 10, 2012 at 10:23 am
  
  Well said.
  
  Reply to this Comment
pk says:

November 10, 2012 at 10:18 am

What about the pitches issue that you raised? As a CAF executive, you can help to address that. Some national football associations use horrible pitches aimed at frustrating visiting teams not realising that their players are equally at risk. CAF should set standards that conform with international level. A country should have at least one pitch of international standard. Otherwise, will have to play home games in another country. This could only he good for the development of the game in Africa.

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Osama says:

November 10, 2012 at 10:45 am

Currently @ Madrid and play for Ghana will work perfectly well for him Essien. I will advise him not to come if his still at the Bright bc his problem from there. he’s back in form and can do better but still at beach.

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Kojo says:

November 10, 2012 at 10:03 pm

Retire,old boys of swedru and st augustine’s sec sch say so u grow

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Ezekiel Obiba says:

November 11, 2012 at 7:53 am

I think is better we leave essien to find a permanent club and playing regularly,we all know what he can do on a good.Essien cement ur place @ madrid b4 u tink of ghana.God bless U.

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Situmbeko says:

November 11, 2012 at 1:21 pm

Doesnt the Ghana FA have a spokesperson? Or your president is just a loud mouth?

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