Former Ghana international Michael Essien believes the Black Stars were unlucky to win a trophy during his time with the national team.

Essien enjoyed an illustrious career with the Black Stars, which spanned between 2002 and 2012 before hanging up his boots as far as international football was concerned.

The former Chelsea man was part of the Ghana squad that reached the semifinals of the 2008 Africa Cup of Nations, as well as the final of the 2010 edition, which they eventually lost to Egypt.

Essien says it still 'hurts' to know they were unable to win any silverware for the national team.

"Yes, [it hurts that we didn't win a trophy] because we were so unlucky with the AFCON 2008. We got so close, but it didn't happen," he told Sporty FM.

"We would have loved to win something for the nation, but it didn't happen, and we had to move on."

Since his retirement from the national team, the Black Stars have reached the final of the AFCON once (2015), where they lost to Côte d'Ivoire on penalties.