Milovan Rajevac happy to give Michael Essien break
Rajevac happy to give Essien break
Posted: 2010-09-01 15:17
Milovan Rajevac has defended Michael Essien’s decision to opt out of international football for a while and says it is a decision the player took after speaking to the Black Stars technical team.
Rajevac is in Johannesburg with the Black Stars ahead of their opening 2012 Nations Cup qualifier against Swaziland on Sunday without one of the most regular fixtures of their team over the last decade.
Essien’s announcement of temporary retirement from the national team led to widespread criticism with his commitment to Ghana severely questioned in the process.
But Rajevac insist Ghanaian football fans must understand and appreciate the difficulty the player is having to deal with.
“As you know with Michael he has had two very serious injuries both with the national team in the last two years. It affected him a lot. Whenever he was available he gave off his best. Now He wants to concentrate on his club and we all need to understand that and I am sure after sometime he will come back to the national team and when we need him most he will be there to lead the team the way he knows”, Rajevac said.
“Michael contacted me after I decided on the list for the game against Swaziland and wanted to ask permission to be excused for a while. He didn’t bring this decision only by himself. I understood his thoughts and of course I want to help him to get into his old form, to start playing regularly and I gave that permission. I am sure he will come back to the national team early next year and when we need him the most”, he added.
: 2010-09-01 16:47
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