Angus Torode

Happy Birthday to Michael Essien. To me, his best ever match in the Ghana shirt, is unfortunately the least popular. South Africa v Ghana, June 18, 2005 at the famous FNB. A crucial 2006 World Cup qualifier. Fresh from winning the French Footballer of the year, it was initially thought Michael wouldn’t make that game because of the transfer saga. With Jean Michel Aulas then playing the hardball with Chelsea and rejecting a second bid of around €20m. Essien was the most-discussed player on the continent, if not the world, at that moment. Ghana entering this game with our goalie being injured I remember and then having to fly George Owu last minute to join the team. It was a do-or-die - make or break as Spanky T of blessed memory did describe. Perhaps the first time Ghanaian football fans like myself got introduced to the deafening Vuvuzela sound. The FNB filled to the gills. A tension-soaked match on a hot Saturday afternoon. It was initially baffling to see the South African goalkeeper Calvin in a baseball cap. He had battled to see clearly due to the sun rays. Back to Essien. “To cook” wasn’t in vogue then, but boy, he really cooked in that game. Masterminded every move of the game from start to the end, and capped in the 90th minute, towering above all to head home Ghana’s second. Appiah was on fire too but that was Michael’s game. How he ran to the corner, repeatedly beating his chest as if to say, I am the man, I am the man. I remember him modestly running to the dressing room immediately after the final whistle trying to avoid all the cameras. That game largely turned the 2006 World Cup tide in our favour. By the next Monday, Chelsea had topped up with another €5m to meet Lyon’s valuation. Picturing every event before, during and after that game, so fresh like yesterday. To me, his best game of the many, for the Black Stars. 🎉