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Like the Ivory Coast, Ghana are World Cup rookies, playing in just their second finals. However, unlike their African rivals, the Black Stars made their way through the Group stage on their debut in 2006. Without selling themselves short, their aspiration for 2010 will be at the very least to repeat their 2006 feat, and then literally take it one game at a time.
Ghana with a FIFA World Ranking of 32 are the lowest ranked team in Group D and with an absence of World class quality in the final third could struggle to make their way through. Their opening fixture against Serbia will be the most critical of their campaign, and they must get maximum points from it, if they are going to challenge the likes of Germany and Australia in their qualification bid.
Ghana suffered a massive blow to their World Cup campaign when it was announced that midfield enforcer Michael Essien will be unavailable for their campaign, and as a result a larger responsibility on their progress will fall on the shoulders of their front two - Matthew Amoah of NAC Breda and Asamoah Gyan of Rennes.
Ghana had a tough time through qualifying sneaking through on goal difference after finishing Round 2 tied on points with Gabon and Libya. Four consecutive wins in the last stage of qualifying had seen them runaway to a huge early lead in their Group, but a defeat in their penultimate game to Benin followed by a draw against Mali gave the points table a much more compact look.
Ghana had a good start to the year in the African Cup of Nations, where they finished runners-up to Egypt. The had three consecutive 1-0 wins in that competition, but failed to score in the final, highlighting the absence of any star power up front.
Key Players:
Kevin-Prince-Boateng - Portsmouth midfielder and German under-21 international, Kevin Prince Boateng, believes he made a decision with his head rather than heart when he decided to represent Ghana at the International level. Tipped to make his debut for Ghana in their first match against Serbia on 13th June, Boateng will be looking to kick start his international career with a stellar performance. The Former Spurs player had a big hand in Pompy reaching the FA Cup final this year and will look to take up the mantle, with Michael Essien ruled out of the World Cup with injury.
Stephen Appiah - Having spent most of his domestic career in the Italian Serie A, Stephen Appiah is a player of considerable talent and quality. Hailed by Pele as one of the most gifted players of all time, Appiah potentially lucrative and successful career has been blighted by injuries and he will hope to take complete advantage of his fitness in South Africa. Appiah is a someone who can both defend and attack and epitomizes the qualities of a midfielder. The Captain of the Black Stars will hope to lead his team beyond the round of 16 as they enter their 2nd consecutive World Cup.
Sulley Muntari - 25-year old Sulleyman Ali Muntari is one of the premier talents coming out of the African continent. His time at Udinese and Portsmouth made him a transfer target for a host of top European clubs with Inter Milan finally nailing his signature. After his Udinese debut Football Italia was quoted saying, "showing himself to possess the touch of Kaká and the combativeness of Edgar Davids, he is definitely a player to keep a close eye on." Muntari has had discipline issues with both club and country, sometimes unable to control his anger on the pitch but at his best and when composed he is a handful for any opponent.
Team:
Goalkeepers - Richard Kingston (Wigan Athletic), 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), Kevin-Prince Boateng (Portsmouth)
Strikers - Prince Tagoe (Hoffenheim), Asamoah Gyan (Rennes), Dominic Adiyiah (AC Milan), Matthew Amoah (NAC Breda)
Top Goal Scorers: Asamoah Gyan(19), Sulley Muntari(15)
Most Capped Players: Richard Kingson(71), John Mensah(62)
Head Coach: Milovan Rajevac
Form Guide: (WLLWW)
Jan 24, Angola 0-1 Ghana
Jan 28, Ghana 1-0 Nigeria
Jan 31, Ghana 0-1 Egypt
Mar 03, Bosnia-Herzegovina 2-1 Ghana
Jun 05, Ghana 1-0 Latvia
Fixtures:
13-Jun: Serbia vs. Ghana 3:00pm (GMT) - Match Report
19-Jun: Ghana vs. Australia 3:00pm (GMT) - Match Report
23-Jun: Ghana vs. Germany 7:30pm (GMT) - Match Report
Also Read:
Group Competitior Previews: Germany, Australia, Serbia
Photo by 2010 FIFA World Cup Organising Committee South Africa
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