World Cup Preview - Group D - Ghana

Nickname: “The Black Stars.”

FIFA ranking: 32nd

Coach: Serbian Milovan Rajevac

Game Schedule:
June 13 – Ghana vs. Serbia (Durban, 2:30 p.m. EST, ESPN)
June 19 – Ghana vs. Australia (Rustenberg, 10 a.m., ESPN)
June 22 – Ghana vs. Germany (Jo'burg, 2:30 p.m., ESPN)

Prospects: Four years after having qualified for their first games at Germany '06, Ghana now have a chance to push on beyond their remarkable Round of 16 finish. However, their squad is rather thin beyond the sprinkling of world class players with European experience in the first XI. And they are in a more difficult group this time around. They'll have to expect that the plucky Aussies and the rugged Serbs will run them hard for second.

Key Player: Ghanaian fortunes will largely rest on the issue of whether "The Bison" - Michael Essien - is fit and ready to lead the side after nearly a season out for Chelski.

Youngster to watch: Carlo Ancelotti will be taking a close look at 24 year old attacking left back Lee Addy who is still playing in Ghana for Chelski's feeder side.

Who Will Get the Goals: Rajevac has recently gone to a 4-5-1 system with Rennes striker Asamoah Gyan - not to be convinced with Udinese midfielder Kwadwo Asamoah - up front alone.

Who Will Get the Cards: Fulham defender John Pantsil is pants.

Prediction: I underestimated Ghana in 2006 and I'm probably doing it again, but I reckon that without the full services of a fit Michael Essien they'll just fall short of getting out of the group. That said, if I'm wrong it could set up a replay of that disastrous final group match in 2006 between the U.S. and Ghana. Fortunately, Claudio Reyna won't be playing this time around.