Ghana midfielder Michael Essien said he is cautiously optimistic about what could happen in Egypt as the Black Stars face the Pharaohs in a World Cup play-off in Cairo.

The Chelsea midfield enforcer said upon arrival at the Ghana camp in Turkey that playing against the Pharaohs is not a bother but the venue.

"I am not afraid or scared of the Egypt team," Essien said. "But I am frightened to play in Egypt because of the on-going fights over there.”

He said: "We have nothing to do about that because we are told to play in Egypt and we will do just that."

Ghana will play Egypt in Cairo on November 19 and are in a better position to qualify to the 2014 World Cup after mauling the north Africans 6-1 in Kumasi on October 15.