Ghana's hopes of excelling at the 2010 World Cup is hanging by a thread after key midfielder Michael Essien said he is uncertain of playing in the tournament in South Africa.
With just 50 days to the opening game of Africa's first World Cup, Essien says a serious knee injury he suffered with the Black Stars could rule him out of the tournament.
The Chelsea star is recovering from a serious knee operation and his club revealed in Tuesday he will not play until the season ends.
Now Ghana has received its own sucker punch as Essien says he will have to sit home and support the Black Stars as he is not sure of his return date.
Asked if he will play at the World Cup, Essien said: "As at now I dont know. I am just taking it day by day and if I can make it I will.
"If not then I will have sit at home and support the team like every Ghanaian. Until I know how the injury improves in the coming days and weeks, it will be difficult to say whether I will make the World Cup or not.
Essien says it would be a big blow for him if he missed the tournament but he wants to concentrate on getting his fitness back.
"Yes it will a disappointment be but The World Cup is the best and difficult football tournament in the world and I will rather be there fully fit.
"We will just have to wait and see."
Ghana face a tough task at the World Cup as they will play Germany, Serbia and Australia in Group D of the competition.
Essien had hoped to be back in action in time for Chelsea's home Champions League leg against Inter Milan.
But his knee continued to swell-up and the player underwent four lots of surgery inside a fortnight.
Chelsea have Stoke, Liverpool and Wigan to play in the league and Portsmouth in the FA Cup final at Wembley, but Essien is now almost certain to miss them all.