Ghana's World Cup players have been left broken after Michael Essien personally told them he's been ruled out of next month's tournament in South Africa.
Captain Stephen Appiah says the Chelsea player nearly wept when a combined Ghana and Chelsea medical team concluded on Thursday that the enforcer will not be fit for the tournament which starts in two weeks' time.
12 Black Stars players MTNFootball spoke with say they have been left lamenting since Essien told them of the decision for him to be left out of the squad.
Essien's absence is a massive blow to the chances of the Black Stars at the tournament but Appiah is confident the Black Stars will ride the storm.
"We are all disappointed by this sad news because Michael has been an integral part of our team over the last few years," Appiah said.
"He is crucial to what we do so we were all hoping he will make it but it was not to be.
"I saw him when he came out of the meeting and looking in his eyes you could tell how disappointed he was.
"We spoke briefly and the emotions were there for all present to see.
Appiah says the Black Stars will excel in Africa's first World Cup to make Essien proud.
"He will be missed without a doubt but we have to move on because football is a team game and someone else will step in and deliver - hopefully as equally good as we would have had from Michael," said the Bologna midfielder.
"I have told him to just carry on with his rehabilitation because I know how it feels when you are injured. Sometimes it feels the whole world is against you so any encouraging words will do him good'
"I have told him every goal and every win will be dedicated to him and as he has already said, he will be supporting us at all times during the World Cup."
Ghana will play Holland in Rotterdam on 1 June and then fly to England to play Latvia on 5 June as part of their preparations towards the World Cup.
The Black Stars will face Germany, Serbia and Australia in the World Cup.