Essien beats Ballack in Africa charity game

An assembled Africa XI led by Michael Essien defeated Michael Ballack's World XI 4-2 on Saturday in a charity match in Ghana.


The game, organised by the Michael Essien Foundation and dubbed the 'Game of Inspiration and Hope' brought together stars including Ricardo Carvalho, Djibril Cisse, Michael Ballack, Florent Malouda, Emmanuel Eboue and Emmanuel Adebayor as part of a fundraising event in the nation.


Essien netted a penalty early in the first half after Chelsea Under-20 goalkeeper Jamal Blackman felled Adebayor in the 18-yard box, before Malouda teed up Cisse to level the scores.


Olympique de Marseille midfielder Andre Ayew quickly made an impact as a second-half substitute, delivering a well-aimed pass to former Netherlands international George Boateng who lobbed the ball over Blackman to make it 2-1, before Jay-Jay Okocha combined delightfully with Adebayor to score the game's fourth.


Late goals from Haminu Dramani and Scott Smith ultimately settled an entertaining encounter in favour of Essien's side, much to the delight of the the support gathered in the Accra Sports Stadium.


Proceeds from the event will go into a charity project in Awutu, Essien’s home town in the central region of Ghana.