Michael Essien believes that Ghana will be heading to the African Nations Cup early next year full of confidence as they will bid to end a 28-year wait for the title.

The Black Stars, who last week became the first African country to qualify for the World Cup finals with a 2-0 win over Sudan, have not won the continental title since 1982 in Libya and will be desperate to lift the prize after finishing third on home soil in 2008.

The Chelsea midfielder, one of the continent's top players, is also thrilled with the chance to be playing in a second World Cup and hoping to build on reaching the second round in Germany in 2006.

"I am delighted that we are going to the World Cup again and this is even more special because it is the first on African soil," he told his website.

"It was brilliant playing in Germany at the last World Cup and it will be a dream to do it all over again in South Africa come 2010."

And the 26-year-old is eager to help the four-time continental champions claim a fifth title in Angola.

He added: "We have also qualified for the African Cup in Angola and we will be heading there full of confidence, hoping to win the tournament."