Chelsea midfielder, Michael Essien has missed chance of playing for Ghana at the African Cup of Nations after failing to make the Black Stars team.

Ghana coach Ratomir Dujkovic today submitted his 23-man squad to the Confederation of African Football-CAF beating Friday’s deadline that would have seen the Black Stars team reduced to 20.

According to the Confederation of African Football’s rules, Ghana will pay a $3000 fine for the delay after missing out of Tuesday’s first deadline for the submission of team lists.

The rules of the competition further states that if Ghana fails to send its complete list of players by the 13th January, it will have the right to the registration of only 20 players.

Essien made a surprise return to the Chelsea training headquarters at Cobham, leaving the rehabilitation room and gym to do running and stretching work outside, hinting that he could be back in first-team contention within a week.

But Chelsea officials on Thursday sent a fax message to Ghana coach, Ratomir Dujkovic stating that Essien would not recover from his injury before the end of four weeks.