Chelsea legend Michael Essien backs native Ghana to end 35-year wait for an African crown next year

Chelsea legend Michael Essien has backed Ghana to win the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations crown in Gabon.

Essien, 33, reckons the four-time African champions are under pressure to end a long-wait for an African crown amid playing in two finals in five years.

The Black Stars lost the title to Egypt and Cote D'voire in 2010 and 2015 respectively and has been consistent top-four finishers in the past six years.

And the former Real Madrid and AC Milan box-to-box midfielder, who is a free agent reckons the pressure is on to win the title for the first time since 1982.

“They have done really well. The pressure is still on, the nation wants them to win the AFCON because is being a long time and the expectations are high,” he told BBC

Essien, capped 58 times, represented Ghana at two Cup of Nations finals.