Essien & JoeTex Are Fine ....

There Is No Cause For Alarm — Engmann Black Stars' team doctor, Martin Engmann, has calmed the nerves of Ghanaians with a firm assurance that Michael Essien and Joetex Frimpong who were stretchered off the field in last Sunday's game against Uganda will return into action soon.

“There is no cause for alarm. The players only need a few days to recover from their respective injuries,” he assured.

Briefing the Graphic about the condition of the two players last Sunday, Dr Engmann, revealed that the two players were out of danger and only needed analgesics to recover within a few days.

According to him, Chelsea midfielder Essien suffered an injury on his right thigh while Joetex sustained an injury on his right flank (rib), following a collision with the Cranes'goalkeeper, Dennis Onyango in the first half of the match.

He said though officials of the team were initially disturbed about the degree of injury in both cases, an X-ray report later allayed their fears.

Dr Engmann indicated that Essien was stamped on the thigh by an opponent in the first half but decided to continue with play during recess, only for the injury to be aggravated in the 61st minute. He was replaced by Abubakar Yahuza.

In the case of Joetex which looked more serious, he came face to face with the Cranes goalie in the 28th minute and managed to lob the ball over him but was crashed by the opponent.

Strong as he is, the tall and aggressive striker who plies his trade for Nigerian champions, Enyimba, tried to stay on in the game but could not stand the pain.

He was stretchered off for the second time and had to be replaced by Arminia Bilefeld striker, Isaac Boakye, in the 37th minute.