Gloom, suspicion and opportunity follow Essien blow (News Feature)

By Michael Logan May 28, 2010, 11:16 GMT

Nairobi/Accra - Ghana football fans were plunged into gloom Friday as they woke up to the news that star midfielder Michael Essien has been ruled out of the World Cup finals.

The Ghana Football Association on Thursday said the 27-year-old Chelsea player would not recover in time from a knee injury sustained playing for his country at the Africa Cup of Nations earlier this year.

The absence of the man sometimes known as 'The Bison' for his driving presence is sure to impact heavily on Ghana when they take on Germany, Australia and Serbia in Group D.

The 27-year-old helped the Black Stars to the second round during their first appearance at the World Cup finals in 2006.

Prominent Ghanian sports journalist Carl Tuffuor told local radio station Joy FM that losing Essien was a colossal blow, likening the impact to that Argentina would feel should they lose Lionel Messi.

The same supporters who only a few weeks ago celebrated the news that German midfielder Michael Ballack was to miss the World Cup mourned Essien's absence.

'Surely one of the most sad days in Ghana football history,' Ghanian football fan Yaw Kusi wrote on one website. 'His talent and knowledge of the game is immense, we will surely miss him.'

Many fans said they were praying for a miracle, but some saw Essien's absence as an opportunity for other players to emerge from the shadow of the star man.

'The world cannot write off Germany because Ballack will not be playing,' fan Sir Cee wrote on Ghanaweb.com. 'Let no one therefore doubt the ability of the Black Stars without Essien.'

Ironically, one of the men who could replace Essien is Berlin-born Kevin-Prince Boateng, the Portsmouth player whose tackle in the English FA Cup Final ruled Essien's Chelsea-teammate Ballack out of the World Cup.

Boateng represented Germany at youth level, but FIFA earlier this month cleared him to play for the West African nation after he chose to switch allegiance, saying he believed the German FA would not give him a chance to play at senior level.

The 23-year-old has become a hate figure in Germany for his tackle, and is bound to face some stick from the German fans should he feature in their Group D showdown.

Boateng may be facing the wrath of an entire nation, but Essien is also coming in for criticism.

Some Ghana fans are suspicious, choosing to believe that Chelsea and Essien are playing up the seriousness of the injury so that he will be fresh for next season.

Others believe that Essien's misfortune is karmic payback for the way he treats his estranged 77-year-old father, James.

James Essien, who lives in a mud house in rural Ghana and is in poor health, told Ghana's Daily Guide earlier this month that he has not seen his son for 15 years and attempts to contact him have been met with silence.

Despite the poor relationship, James Essien said he was devastated by his son's misfortune.

'I am disappointed that he (Essien) will not take part in the World Cup, I was so sad when I heard it,' told Citi Eyewitness News.

'I have not eaten since I heard that he will not be with the team in South Africa.'

But some Ghanians are unconvinced by the father's expression of sympathy.

Belief in witchcraft is still widespread in Ghana - and many other African nations. More than a few fans said they thought the old man had used juju to ensure his son would not play in the World Cup.