World Cup Preview - Group E - Ghana

Ghana:

Nickname: “The Black Stars.”

Coach: Serbian Ratomir Dujkovic.

Game Schedule:
June 12 – Ghana vs. Italy (3 p.m. EST)
June 17 – Ghana vs. Czech Republic (12 p.m.)
June 22 – Ghana vs. U.S. (10 a.m.)

Prospects: Ghana qualified for its first WC finals appearance by topping their group ahead of South Africa after losing the first qualifier to unfancied Burkino Faso. Dujkovic has built a solid unit around a few star players plying their trade in Europe, most notably Chelsea defensive midfielder Michael Essien, who became the most expensive African player this season. This could make them one of the surprises of the tournament and win them some admiration from neutral fans. The problem for Ghana in the end is lack of experience and depth in squad. Once they begin to pick up injuries and suspensions to key players – always a possibility in a long tournament – it is likely to be curtains for the Black Stars.

Key Player: Captain Steven Appiah, a graceful left-footed midfield playmaker nicknamed “The Tornado,” who has Serie A experience and now plays in Turkey for Fenerbahce.

Youngster to watch: 21 year old Udinese midfielder Sulley Muntari.

Who Will Get the Goals: Dortmund striker Matthew Amoah.

Who Will Get the Cards: Either Essien, who has shown a propensity for two-footed tackles in the Premiership this season or Bayern and Roma veteran Sammy Kuffour, who might show his age.

Funniest Name: Forward Razak Pimpong.

Prediction: Like a lot of potential dark horse sides, Ghana’s draw works against them. In a tough group, they have to wait until the last match to get their claws into a U.S. side that is likely to know its fate already. The key for Ghana – as it is for the U.S. – will be getting anything out of the first two matches. In the end, Italy and the Czechs just have too much quality to see either of them being edged out in the first round. Ghana out with a few points under its belt and perhaps a first tournament win.