Michael Essien says the Black Stars are well-equipped to cope with the pressure of playing in front of an expectant home crowd on Sunday. The midfielder is the poster boy of a Stars team who have dominated the country’s agenda this week and says the large crowds at the training sessions and the expectations of the nation will not affect them. Ghana has had some shockers in the past when they have been odds-on favourites to win, memorably against Sierra Leone in the 80s and Liberia in the 2002 World Cup qualifiers. But Essien is sure the current generation can cope with a packed Ohene Djan Stadium, demanding nothing but victory. “It’s just important to win, regardless of how and down to the last player we really want to do that,” he tells KickOffGhana.com. “For all the football we play outside, it is still special to come back home and put the smiles on people's faces with a win so hopefully we can do that on Sunday.” Essien has received the loudest cheers since he linked up with the team on Wednesday, but insist he does not carry the hopes of the nation. “It will take team work to win and that is what we are hoping to do. We don't feel any pressure because we are used to playing in front of the big home crowds who want us to win at all cost.” Source: Kickoff.com