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GHANA: CHELSEA'S MICHAEL ESSIEN TO MISS AFRICA CUP OF NATIONS January 5, 2006
Kizza Harajah
(SomaliNet) Ghana will miss the skills and expertise of Michael Essien in the forthcoming Africa Cup of Nations. Chealsea Manager, Jose Mourinho denied him permission to play for his mother country, citing need for treatment. Essien is not going. To do treatment, it is better to stay with Chelsea. I think he will be going for nothing," said Mourinho.
However, Ivory Coast's Didier Drogba and Cameroon's Geremi Njitab , both of Chelsea have Mourinho's permission to play for their country.
Despite the above developments, Ghana is still a team to reckon with. It is relying on the skills of some key players for instance, Steven ! Appiah who scored the 2005 Champions League goal of the year.
This is the fifteenth time Ghana has qualified for this cup. In addition to Essien,Udinese striker, Sulley Muntari also won't play.