Essien should not be used as centre back – Preko

Former Ghana international Yaw Preko says that Chelsea midfielder Michael Essien should not be used as a center back during Ghana’s 2014 World Cup qualifier against Egypt on Tuesday.

Preko told footy-ghana.com in an exclusive interview that the defenders called up can do a good job, allowing Essien to operate in a more familiar role in midfield.

“I don’t think Essien should be used as a center back. He is very experienced but we will need him in midfield. Since other defenders have been called up, they should be able to do the job in defence.”

Preko also told footy-ghana.com that all that the Black Stars would need is for the team psychologist, Professor Kwame Mintah to mentally prepare the likes of Jerry Akaminko and Rashid Sumaila for the task ahead, adding that he is confident that they would deliver on the day.

“Fortunately Professor Mintah is a coach as well as a psychologist and so he should mentally prepare those who would play in central defence. After the first five to ten minutes, the defenders would have gained enough confidence to continue delivering and that is all we need.”

The winger, who played for the Black Stars for 10 years between 1991 and 2001, believes that any kind of victory over Egypt on Tuesday would guarantee Ghana qualification for the World Cup because of the Black Stars’ excellent away record, adding that Egypt might also be forced to play the second leg away from Cairo.

“I strongly believe that any sort of victory, be it 1-0, 2-1 or even 3-2 on Tuesday will qualify us for the World Cup. I am saying so because the Black Stars play very well away from home and Egypt cannot beat us in the second leg, whether it is in Cairo or elsewhere. They may not even play in Cairo so everything depends on Tuesday’s game in Kumasi.”

Preko warned that the Pharaohs will attempt to frustrate the Black Stars in Kumasi because a loss will damage them.

“The Pharaohs will be looking to avoid defeat here and so will frustrate the Black Stars. They also know that the decisive match is Tuesday’s game in Kumasi, so we have to do everything to beat them here. As I said, any sort of victory will see us through.”