20100702
africanews

Black Stars' midfielder Michael Essien has sent a good luck message to his colleagues ahead of their crucial quarter-final encounter against Uruguay tonight at the Soccer City stadium in South Africa.

The 27-year-old could not make it to the tournament due to a protracted knee injury and undergoing rehabilitation.

Essien believes Ghana are more than capable of beating the South Americans in South Africa adding that they should fight to the end. “I'll watch at home with some friends but I'll be with them in my heart,” he said.

He added: "I knew they could do well without me because they played so well in the African Nations Cup."

Although disappointed to have missed out, he admitted he is immensely proud of seeing his side become the only African nation to make it to the knock-out stages at the 2010 global football fiesta.

He concluded: “I wish Ghana the hope of Africa good luck.”