Out-of-form Essien should not be handed Ghana call - Nana Fitz

Published on: 10 May 2012

By Ameenu Shardow

Veteran football administrator Nana Fitzgerald-Buckerswood insists the return of  'out-of-form' Michael Essien to the Black Stars would signify its end.

The 29-year-old has struggled to get into the Chelsea team since his return from a lengthy injury layoff under interim coach Roberto Di Matteo.

The box-to-box midfielder who has over the years been very key to the national team did not fare too well in the 4-1 loss t0 Liverpool in the English Premier League game where he scored an own goal.

And Nana Fitz says Essien's performance on Tuesday night justifies reasons why he should be excluded from national team assignments.

"For me I know Michael Essien is finished and if we want Kwasi Appiah to succeed as Ghana coach, Essien should not be called into the national team," he told Kumasi-based Angel FM.

"You cannot cheat nature and for me it is not about preventing another injury, he is done for.

"He does not deserve a call to the Black Stars because his strength is all gone. He can't even make accurate passes.

"Kwesi Appiah should therefore be very careful not to select players based on names but rather on merit.

"And if he is to go strictly by that then certainly Michael Essien with his current performance has no place in the Black Stars."

Ghana plays two 2014 World Cup qualifiers against Lesotho and Zambia in June.

 

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