Essien assures fans over Mali game

Essien wants to help the poor in Ghana

Ghana midfielder Michael Essien is confident that his charity event a day before Ghana play Mali will not affect the performance of the Black Stars.

 
 
The Chelsea enforcer had already planned the event for 15 November but was forced to bring it forward because the Ghanaian authorities had planned to play the World Cup qualifier a day earlier.

 
But with the Black Stars already through to the World Cup, the Ghana Football Association opted to play the game on 15 November which clashes with Essien's already planned charity dinner in Accra.

 
This prompted him to bring the event forward meaning the charity event comes just before the Mali clash in Kumasi.

 
With the football calendar tight until the end of the World Cup next year, the most approrpiate time for the event to be held is on Saturday.

 
Dignitaries have also been invited from across the globe to witness the event, including Chelsea officials and former World Player of the Year George Weah.

 
Essien, who is already in Kumasi with the Black Stars, says the event will not negatively affect Ghana's performance and the dinner will also benefit the poor in his country.

 
"It was a difficult decision for us to make becasue of the change in dates on our World Cup qualifier," Essien told Ghanasoccernet.

 
"Given the circumstances the best thing for us to have done was to take the date available and that's Saturday night.

 
"We have invited people from all over the world and they have already arrived in the country so it is difficult for us to make any changes.

 
"I don't have any break from now until after the World Cup next year so we need to do this event for the benefit of the poor in my country.

 
"I am not doing this for my personal benefit. I am doing this for the good of the country.

 
"We have trained very well since I arrived early this week so there's is no problem about the event affecting us negatively.

 
"My colleagues, my coach, the GFA and the people of Ghana are supporting me for this good cause. The poor also need our help.

 
"I want to assure Ghanaians that we will go out there and battle Mali to bring honour to ourt country."

 
Ghana have already qualified for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa and Africa Cup of Nations in Angola.

 
Essien wants to use the charity event to raise funds to help poor communities in Ghana.

 
He is keen to provide water and hospital facilities.