Injured Chelsea star Michael Essien has backed Ghana to ignore the doubters and claim a historic World Cup 2010 quarter-final victory against Uruguay.

The Black Stars could be the first African nation in the history of the tournament to reach the semi-final stage if they come out on top this evening. This achievement will be all the more impressive considering the absence of their world-class midfielder, who has missed the tournament due to the knee ligament damage.

Speaking to The Daily Mirror, Essien backed his team-mates to claim an historic result.

"I've been talking to Stephen Appiah, Sulley Muntari and a few others and I'll ring and text them to wish them luck and tell them I'm right behind them," Essien said.

"They will fight all of the way against Uruguay. I'll watch at home with some friends but I'll be with them in my heart."

He added: "A few people didn't give them a chance against the USA and it'll be the same against Uruguay. But they can do it."

Although disappointed to have missed out of the competition, Essien expressed his pride about Ghana being the only African side to make the knockout stages.

He said: "I knew they could do well without me because they played so well in the African Nations Cup.

"Of course I wanted to be there, but it's one of those things.""