The former Black Stars striker believes this is the opportune time to give the 'Bison' the responsibility of leading the team to achieve the ultimate in Afcon 2013.
The former Chelsea midfielder has not featured for the Black Stars since he played in a 2012 Nations Cup qualifier against Congo in Kumasi in 2011.
Nii Lamptey believes this is the appropriate time to get the experience of Essien on board to lead the four-time African champions to glory in South Africa.
�For me, I think Michael Essien should be back to captain the team to the Cup of Nations in South Africa,� he said in an interview with Accra-based Happy FM.
�Sometimes players go through a lot of things that they can�t tell you. He has asked for some time, but this is the time to get him to be back to his former self.�
According to the former Anderlecht player, he could be given the responsibility of talking to Essien back into the team.
�On the Michael Essien case, they can leave the case to me. I will talk to him to come back because we need players like this to boost the national team.�
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