Michael Essien (L) of Ghana fights for the ball with Mohamed Salah of Egypt during their 2014 World Cup qualifying soccer match at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi 15 October, 2013 (Photo: Reuters)
Despite being frightened to play in Egypt next week, Ghana and Chelsea midfielder Michael Essien says he is ready to help the Black Stars secure their place at the coming 2014 World Cup.
The Egyptian national football team is scheduled to host the Ghanaian team in the return leg of the World Cup qualifying playoff on 19 November at the Air Defence Stadium, located in Cairo's Fifth Settlement.
Essien, who suffered a series of niggling injuries during the past two seasons that repeatedly kept him from international duty, was a key element in Ghana's large 6-1 win over the Pharaohs last month in Kumasi.
"I want to put my injuries behind me because those are the past. I want to move ahead and think about the way forward and my future," Essien told Ghanaian radio station Asempa FM on Wednesday.
"I am back for good. I am back to help the Black Stars reach a greater height. Feelings at the Black Stars are great. I am very happy to join this wonderful squad.
"I knew I had to work hard to get back into the lineup and I perfectly did so. I asked Coach Kwesi Appiah to start me from the bench against Zambia and against Egypt he decided to put me in the starting lineup because he realised I was ready to start," Essien added, insisting that he has already packed his bags to join the training camp for the match.
The seven-time Africa Cup of Nations winners, Egypt, are playing a Zambia friendly on Thursday, amidst trainings for the anticipated clash.
Egypt are desperately bidding for their first qualification ticket since 1990 to the world's most prestigious football tournament.
"We respected Egypt in the first leg. They are a good side so we decided to put up a good performance and that resulted in the 6-1 scoreline," the former Lyon and Real Madrid player said.
"I am not afraid or scared of the Egypt team. But I am frightened to play in Egypt because of the on-going fights over there. We have nothing to do about that because we are told to play in Egypt and we will do just that," he concluded.
FIFA assured Ghana officials Monday that security "guarantees" were in place for next week's World Cup playoff and that the match will take place in Cairo, as scheduled.
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