midfielder Michael Essien has announced his return to the national team after a one-year absence.<\/strong><\/p>\nThe Chelsea ace temporarily put his Black Stars career on hold last year after suffering two serious injuries while playing for the Black Stars.<\/p>\n
But after regaining his form with the English side, Essien says he is available for selection for Ghana\u2019s next game in June.<\/p>\n
\u201cI am fully ready to return to the Black Stars for our next Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Congo,\u201d Essien told BBC Sport.<\/p>\n
\u201cAfter the two serious injuries I asked permission from the Ghana FA to excuse me from Black Stars duties to allow me to fully recover.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey understood my situation and granted my request because of the injuries I had.<\/p>\n
\u201cI really want to help my country to qualify for the next year\u2019s Africa Cup of Nations so I am ready to join my colleagues to help the country to qualify.\u201d<\/p>\n
Essien\u2019s absence from the national team has been the subject of intense debate amongst football fans in Ghana.<\/p>\n
Some even speculated that he was contemplating retiring from the Black Stars but the Chelsea ace says it never crossed his mind.<\/p>\n
\u201cI still have a lot to offer my country and it never crossed my mind to retire from the national team,\u201d Essien said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI have never ever said anything like that before. I love my country and I have a lot to give back.\u201d<\/p>\n
The injury forced him out of the 2010 African Nations Cup in Angola and then the World Cup in South Africa.<\/p>\n
Essien has not played for Ghana since a forty-five minute appearance at the 2010 Nations Cup.<\/p>\n
The Black Stars will play Congo on 6 June in Group I of the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/p>\n
Read this article:
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<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n