Essien is willing to return – Mike Gizo

Chairman of the Michael Essien Foundation and ex deputy tourism minister, Mike Gizo has assured fans and the Ghana football Association that Real Madrid Star, Essien is willing to return to the Black Stars if the right things are done.

Speaking on GTV’s Stage Africa sports programme last Friday, Mike Gizo who is a close associate of the player said it was obvious that the player is not happy about some happenings in the senior national team but says it would be unfair to assume that the player does not want to play for Ghana again.

When pushed by host of the show, Jerry Kwame Ayensu if he was privy to the main reasons why Essien has been unwilling to play of the country, Mike Gizo admitted that he was aware of the player’s concerns but was not going to share that in public.

“Essien is willing to return but only when the right moves and things are done. We can’t wash our dirty linen in public but if we can all sit and talk, am sure we can make headway’

Mike Gizo claims he has made several attempts to talk to the GFA about the player’s frustrations but has been unsuccessful.

Meanwhile, Ibrahim Saanie Daara who was also a guest on the show promised to arrange a meeting with Mike Gizo and the FA so attempts to bring Essien back into the Black Stars can begin.

Essien has not featured regularly for the senior national team for almost two years now following successive career threatening injuries to his knee while on national duty.

The Chelsea player who is currently on loan at Spanish side Real Madrid is said to be peeved at the way he was neglected during the difficult moments of his career. It is unknown if the 29 year old would feature again for the Black Stars but after Ghana’s failed campaign at the recently ended Nation’s cup, calls have grown for the return of experienced players like Essien and Muntari ahead of the FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

Ghana will face Sudan on March 24 in a must win 2014 world Cup qualifier at the Baba Yara stadium.