Chelsea midfielder Michael Essien has vowed to join Ghana’s pre-Nations Cup training camp when it opens next month.

Black Stars coach Claude Le Roy is keen on getting all his players when his camping in Dubai for Africa’s football showpiece event opens on 6 January.

Fifa, football's world governing body, has rules that state clubs must release players at least 14 days ahead of an international tournament.

But Chelsea, like other English clubs, were hoping to delay the arrival of their African stars until just before the tournament kicks off on 20 January.

Despite the demands from the English clubs, Black Stars talismanic midfielder Essien says his country comes first.

“We will be camping in Dubai before the tournament starts and I can’t wait,” Essien said.

“There is no greater honour for me than to play for my country.

“Without Ghanaian football I won’t be what I am today so I am really looking forward to joining my team mates to represent Ghana.”

The Black Stars were the only African country to reach the second round of the World Cup in Germany last year and they have been tipped as one of the favourites for the Nations Cup.

Essien is confident that the Black Stars can replicate their performance at the World Cup to help them annex their fifth Nations Cup title.

“We have a good group of players who represented Ghana at the World Cup and most of us are in the team again,” the Chelsea midfield commander-in-chief said.

“I am confident that we can carry that good form into the Nations cup and hopefully win it for mother Ghana.

“It won’t be easy as there are other tough countries coming to the tournament but we are confident.

Essien, who has been nominated for the BBC African Player of the Year award, said support from the home fans will be crucial if the Black Stars are to win the title on 10 February.

“We will be working very hard to win the tournament and we will need their support from every Ghanaian from the start to finish,” he said.

“The past two Nations Cup tournaments were won by the host teams because of the support they had from their fans.

“We want Ghanaians to be our 12th man so that we can win the trophy and share in the joy of making history.”