There is a common belief that if a realistic World Cup challenge is to be made by an African country, it will be from Ghana or the Ivory Coast.
Ghana were a breath of fresh air four years ago and extremely unlucky to lose by such a margin to Brazil (3-0) in the second-round, after defeating both the Czech Republic and USA in the group stage. Perhaps they were a little naive defensively in the Brazil match, but their results in qualification suggest that Milovan Rajevac will bring a tighter unit to South Africa.
Indeed, they won the first four matches in the final stage of qualification without conceding a goal, making it through with two games to spare.
The loss of Chelsea all-rounder Michael Essien through injury is a huge blow to Ghana's hopes of progression as he is one of the most complete midfielders in the world. The onus, then, will be on the likes of Sulley Muntari and captain Stephen Appiah to create and score goals from midfield.
With John Pantsil and John Mensah there is no shortage of big league experience in the Ghana squad, and one other player to watch out for is young striker Dominic Adiyiah who was top scorer in the Under-20 World Cup in 2009 with eight goals – half his team’s tally.
Quick Facts:
- Best World Cup Result: Quarter-Finals (1950)
- Best African Nations Cup Result: Winners (1963, 1965, 1978 and 1982)
- Record Scorer: Abedi Pele (33 goals between 1982 and 1998)
- Most Capped Player: Abedi Pele (73 caps between 1982 and 1998)
- Coach: Milovan Rajevac
- Captain: Stephen Appiah
23-man Ghana World Cup Squad:
Goalkeepers: Richard Kingston (Wigan), Daniel Adjei (Liberty Professionals), Stephen Ahorlu (Hearts of Lions)
Defenders: Samuel Inkoom (Basle), Hans Sarpei (Bayer Leverkusen), Lee Addy (Bechem Chelsea), John Mensah (Sunderland), Rahim Ayew (Zamalek), Isaac Vorsah (Hoffenheim), John Pantsil (Fulham), Jonathan Mensah (Granada)
Midfielders: Dede Ayew (Arlese Avignon), Kwadwo Asamoah (Udinese), Stephen Appiah (Bologna), Anthony Annan (Rosenborg), Sulley Muntari (Inter Milan), Quincy Owusu-Abeyie (Al Sadd), Derek Boateng (Getafe, Spain), Kevin-Prince Boateng (Portsmouth)
Forwards: Prince Tagoe (Hoffenheim), Asamoah Gyan (Rennes), Dominic Adiyiah (AC Milan), Matthew Amoah (NAC Breda)
Group Matches:
Sunday, June 13, 2010 v SerbiaSaturday, June 19, 2010 v Australia
Wednesday, June 23, 2010, v Germany
Prediction: First-Round
Ghana would surely have wished for an easier group, but instead must face Germany and Serbia sides who eased through the European qualifying groups, and an Australia team emerging as a more substantial threat on the world soccer scene as the years go by.Logic would point to Germany topping the group, and the three other sides battling it out for second place. Ghana will be able to call upon plenty of support from the stands but that may not be enough against a strong Serbia side who qualified automatically from a group containing World Cup runners-up France. Australia will have their say too, but expect the wily Serbians to edge it.
To find out more about the tournament, visit the World Cup section.
