ESSIEN CELEBRATES IMPRESSIVE WORLD CUP ACHIEVEMENT

Michael Essien was delighted that the Black Stars of Ghana pulled off an impressive feat as they qualified for the World Cup 2022 tournament in Qatar at the expense of West African rivals Nigeria. Michael Essien took to his official Twitter account to celebrate the World Cup qualification at the expense of Nigeria at the end of last month.

Ex-Chelsea and Real Madrid midfielder Michael Essien was a key player for Ghana during his playing days. He scored nine goals in 59 games for Ghana over a 12-year period. He was part of the Ghana squad that qualified for the FIFA World Cup tournament for the first time at the 2006 edition in Germany before they were eliminated by five-time champions Brazil at the last 16 stage. Michael Essien was suspended for the round of 16 game with the Brazilians which ended in a 3-0 defeat.

Ghana were able to qualify for their fourth World Cup tournament by seeing off Nigeria via the away goals rule. The Ghanaians came into the two-legged World Cup playoff tie with Nigeria on the back of a poor showing at the last African Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament in Cameroon. The five-time African champions crashed out of the AFCON tournament in Cameroon at the group stage after suffering a disappointing 3-2 defeat at the hands of lowly Comoros with ten men. Ghana played the majority of the game with ten men after skipper Andre Ayew was sent off in the first half.

In their World Cup playoff tie, Ghana were forced to a goalless draw at home to Nigeria at the end of the first leg before the Ghanaians booked their place in Qatar after a 1-1 draw at the end of the second leg in Nigeria. Thomas Partey gave Ghana the lead before it was cancelled out by the penalty from William Troost-Ekong. Ghana sealed their place in Qatar via the away goals rule.