Ghana ready for World big guns

Ghana will be flying the flag for Africa in World Cup 2014. Photo: Reuters
Ghana will be flying the flag for Africa in World Cup 2014. Photo: Reuters



Ghana are confident they can claw their way out of a World Cup group which includes Germany, Portugal and the United States.

The Black Stars reached the round of 16 in their World Cup debut in 2006 in Germany and reached the last eight four years ago in South Africa.

Now they want to become the first African team to reach the semi- finals of the tournament.

Skipper Asamoah Gyan, who appeared at both previous finals, said that Ghana will raise their game in Brazil.

"The thing about Ghana all the time is that whenever we play against a big team, we perform," said Gyan.

"That is what happened with us when we were going to the 2006 and 2010 World Cups.

"And that is what happened with the Egypt (World Cup play- off) game where everyone got involved.

"And I believe it will happen again at this World Cup." 

- Confidence and experience - 

Ghana were unstoppable when they dumped seven-time African champions Egypt 7-3 on aggregate to book their passage to Brazil 2014.

It was a vintage performance by the West African side in Kumasi, where they blew away Egypt 6-1 in the first leg. Gyan scored twice.

They will be in Brazil with a more experienced squad after Michael Essien rejoined the team and they now have more viable options upfront with the emergence of Majeed Waris and Christian Atsu.

Coach Kwesi Appiah, who was an assistant coach at the South Africa finals, has won the confidence of his players, despite rumours that he would be replaced with a foreign manager.

Germany -- world champions three times -- are favourites to win Group G, leaving the other automatic qualifying spot wide open.

Ghana open the campaign against the United States on 16 June in Natal. They have beaten the Americans on their two previous meetings at the World Cup.

In 2006, Ghana won 2-1 in a group game and four years later they eliminated the Americans again by the same scoreline in the round of 16.

Their second group game will be against Germany on 21 June in Fortaleza.

- Preparing for the best - 

Portugal, with Cristiano Ronaldo, will be their final group opponents on 26 June in Brasilia.