Essien so happy to be first Chelsea player to qualify for World Cup Finals

Michael Essien and his Ghana team have become the first team from Africa to qualify for the World Cup Finals in South Africa next summer by winning their fourth game in a row. They beat Sudan 2-0 with Essien and Muntari scoring the goals.

Essien told how special the win was for himself and his country: “It was so important to win, regardless of how we achieved the result,’ Essien is reported to have said after Sunday’s game. ‘It is still special for us professionals to return home and bring joy to the people of Ghana.

“The side did not feel under pressure because we are used to playing in front of packed crowds like the one in Accra tonight. We did not let them down. It’s a fantastic feeling to be the first African country to qualify for the first World Cup to be staged in Africa.”

Congratulations Michael!