Asamoah Gyan

Manager: Milovan Rajevac (Serbian)
Captain: Stephen Appiah
FIFA World Ranking: 38
World Cup Appearances: 1
Best World Cup: Last Sixteen – 2006

Ghana Team Profile

Although the name ‘Ghana’ may not ring too many bells with most part-time international football followers, they have actually been somewhat of a powerhouse nation back in the African continent. Ghana have made 16 appearances in the African Cup of Nations, winning the tournament on five occasions, dominating during the 60′s. However, although they were the team to beat in Africa 50 years ago, they didn’t assert themselves when it came to World Cup qualification, failing to qualify for the World Cup during their most successful period.

Ghana have been an irregular entry into the World Cup, just 1 in fact, and, although they have made regular appearances in the African Cup of Nations, they haven’t actually won the tournament since 1982, over 26 years ago. This huge baron run has reflected in their World Cup bids but their did break their duck and evidentally booked their first World Cup date back in Germany 2006. They arrived in Germany as an unknown quantity and left with many admirers. They shocked most people by bypassing an extremely tough group consisting of USA, Czech Republic & eventual winners Italy.

Ghana were eventually knocked out by Brazil in the last sixteen but it’s clear that Ghana enjoyed their first ever World Cup and their taste for the big stage has aided them in completing a quick fire qualification double for the finals. Ghana were the first African nation, with the exception of the hosts, to qualify for South Africa 2010.

Nickname: The Black Stars

Ghana Key Players

Michael Essien

Michael Essien will be the biggest celebrity in the Ghana camp providing he actually goes. Essien has made a respectable name for himself as being the ‘hard as nails’ defensive-midfielder, who isn’t afraid to get stuck in with a tackle or two. He provides a more than adequate cover over the Chelsea defence, with his main role to break down the forward play of their opponents. For Ghana, though, while he may put his Chelsea responsibilities to good use, Essien does get forward a lot more as so he can support the forwards, while everyone knows Essien can strike a ball very well from distance.

The bad news is, of course, that Essien may not feature due to a knee injury he sustained in the middle of December last year. Essien’s planned return has suffered several setbacks along the way and he could now miss the 2010 finals are a result. 

Stephen Appiah

Appiah captained Ghana in their first ever World Cup and he is set to do the exact same in 2010, but will he match the feat of 2006 which seen Ghana reach the last sixteen. He was actually the player which crushed Czech dreams back in 2006 and it’s obvious that Stephen Appiah loves the mantle of being captain. Appiah has been around the block at club level, mainly in the Italian division, a league where defensive qualities are crucial, and these qualities will be needed if Ghana are to enjoy their second stint in a World Cup.

Strengths

Back in Germany 2006, Ghana were a very solid outfit and an awkward side to break down, as Italy, USA and the Czech’s found out. The Italians were the only one of the three to beat Ghana but even they struggled to break a workmanlike Ghana defence down. Michael Essien & Stephen Appiah are a rigid backbone to an unheard of defensive line while Inter Milan’s Sulley Muntari can also provide an adequate service in the centre of the park. Rarely do Ghana thump sides, they often win games by the odd goal, absorbing the opposition attacks and then hitting them on the break. Ghana will be a frustrating team to play against in the summer, one us English fans hope we don’t draw.

Weaknesses

Their lack of fire-power. During the group stage of qualifying, Ghana never managed more than 3 goals in a single game, and while that may sound a ridiculous thing to say, against the average opponents they were facing, they should of scored a lot more regularly. Ghana are short of quality forwards, with Asamoah Gyan & Matthew Amoah the likely striking partnership for Ghana this summer. The pair average under a goal every other game and, although that may seem an OK average, we must take into consideration that they have come up against some ordinary African nations and not against the quality of defences that will await them in South Africa. It will be a test for their attackers to say the least and one we aren’t sure they’ll pass.

Ghana Qualification for the World Cup

Sector: Africa

Group: D

Position: 1st

Win-Draw-Lose: 4-1-1

Goals Scored: 9

Goals Conceded: 3

World Cup Qualifying statistics:

• Ghana were the first African nation to book their place in the South African World Cup, securing qualification with two games to spare.
• Matthew Amoah finished as Ghana’s top goalscorer during qualifying, scoring a reasonable tally of 5.
• Richard Kingson, the Ghana goalkeeper, was the only player to partake in each of Ghana’s 12 qualifying encounters.
• Ghana received 17 yellow cards during qualification, an average of 1.42, but didn’t receive a single red card. Perhaps their new Serbian coach has installed discipline into the Ghana ranks.

World Cup Potential: 2/5

Ghana will be a difficult group opponent, with their awkward set up and style of play, but their solid tactics won’t be good enough against sides that will punish them if given half-a-chance. Their defence will frustrate opposing teams and should earn them a few points in the group, but their apparent lack of fire-power does leave them extremely vulnerable against the better sides. Expect the Midfielders to chip in with a few this summer.

Ghana World Cup Betting Odds

Ghana to win the World Cup: 40/1 Sportingbet

Before the World Cup the odds on Ghana were 100/1 

Official Ghana World Cup Squad

Goalkeepers

Richard Kingston (Wigan)

Daniel Adjei (Liberty Professional)

Stephen Ahorlu (Heart of Lions)

Defenders

Samuel Inkoom (Basel)

Hans Sarpei (Bayer Leverkusen)

Lee Addy (Bechem Chelsea)

John Mensah (Sunderland)

Ibrahim Ayew (Zamalek Cairo)

Isaac Vorsah (Hoffenheim)

John Paintsil (Fulham)

Jonathan Mensah (Granada)

Midfielders

Dede Ayew (Arles)

Kwadwo Asamoah (Udinese)

Stephen Appiah (Bologna)

Anthony Annan (Rosenborg)

Sulley Muntari (Inter Milan)

Quincy Owusu Abeyie (Al Sadd, Qatar)

Derek Boateng (Getafe)

Kevin-Prince Boateng (Portsmouth)

Strikers

Prince Tagoe (Hoffenheim)

Asamoah Gyan (Rennes)

Dominic Adiyiah (AC Milan)

Matthew Amoah (NAC Breda)

last update: 18 June 2010

World Cup 2010 Ghana Fixtures – Group D

26/06 – 19.30 – Round of the last 16: Ghana – USA: 2-1 AET

02/07 – 19.30 – Quarter Finals: Ghana – Uruguay

World Cup 2010 Group D - Table

World Cup Fixtures and Results

Argentina have now scored nine goals during this World Cup, so it’s little surprise to see one of their forwards topping the Golden Shoe table. While plenty of money came for Lionel Messi to top score during this tournament following an awesome season for Barcelona, it’s his Real Madrid compatriot who is instead leading the way.

Gonzalo Higuain has a big debt of gratitude to Messi for the fact that he now has four goals to his name and the 22-year-old is now 7/4 (Sporting Bet) to finish top of the pile. His hat-trick against South Korea during the group stages shot the striker ahead of the competition and another goal against Mexico on Sunday night means that he stays in front of the chasing pack.

However, La Albiceleste have a tough quarter final match against Germany on Saturday, where it’s perfectly possible that their participation in the World Cup will end. Perhaps the smart money should still be on David Villa, the Spain striker who has been scoring for fun in his last couple of matches.

The former Valencia man is on his way to Barcelona ahead of the new season and he’s been impressing his new employers in the colours of the national team. Although the 28-year-old drew a blank against Switzerland, a brace against Honduras followed by a goal against Chile means that he’s one of several players on three goals at the moment. Coral offer 7/2 that he adds the 2010 World Cup Golden Shoe to the Golden Boot he won at Euro 2008.

With Spain playing Portugal and then a potentially winnable quarter final against Paraguay or Japan, we could see Villa filling his boots. The other player who could be racking up the goals in the next two games is Brazil’s Luis Fabiano, whose brace against the Ivory Coast keeps the Sevilla striker in the hunt for the top honour.

Brazil face Chile on Monday night and, while they are likely to meet the Dutch in the last eight, Holland do not appear to have the strongest defence and Fabiano can be backed at 8/1 (Coral) to take the plaudits. Considering that the bookmakers are offering ¼ odds for the first three places, many might be contemplating an each-way wager on the Selecao player.

However, there are now six players on three goals and only one of them (Landon Donovan) are no longer involved in the tournament. Robert Vittek (50/1 Sporting Bet) is the least fancied of the quintet, despite striking twice against Italy in the group stages, and that’s probably because his team are expected to go out against the Netherlands on Monday. Indeed, Holland’s Robin Van Persie is much shorter in the betting (22/1 Sky Bet), despite only having one goal to his name thus far.

The other two players on three goals at the moment are Asamoah Gyan and Luis Suarez. The Ghana forward scored a spectacular goal in extra-time to beat the US on Saturday and he’s 25/1 (Ladbrokes) to finish top of the pile, while Suarez scored a stunning winner against South Korea and is more fancied at 14/1 (Sky Bet).

Manager: Milovan Rajevac (Serbian)
Captain: Stephen Appiah
FIFA World Ranking: 38
World Cup Appearances: 1
Best World Cup: Last Sixteen – 2006

Ghana Team Profile

Although the name ‘Ghana’ may not ring too many bells with most part-time international football followers, they have actually been somewhat of a powerhouse nation back in the African continent. Ghana have made 16 appearances in the African Cup of Nations, winning the tournament on five occasions, dominating during the 60′s. However, although they were the team to beat in Africa 50 years ago, they didn’t assert themselves when it came to World Cup qualification, failing to qualify for the World Cup during their most successful period.

Ghana have been an irregular entry into the World Cup, just 1 in fact, and, although they have made regular appearances in the African Cup of Nations, they haven’t actually won the tournament since 1982, over 26 years ago. This huge baron run has reflected in their World Cup bids but their did break their duck and evidentally booked their first World Cup date back in Germany 2006. They arrived in Germany as an unknown quantity and left with many admirers. They shocked most people by bypassing an extremely tough group consisting of USA, Czech Republic & eventual winners Italy.

Ghana were eventually knocked out by Brazil in the last sixteen but it’s clear that Ghana enjoyed their first ever World Cup and their taste for the big stage has aided them in completing a quick fire qualification double for the finals. Ghana were the first African nation, with the exception of the hosts, to qualify for South Africa 2010.

Nickname: The Black Stars

Ghana Key Players

Michael Essien

Michael Essien will be the biggest celebrity in the Ghana camp providing he actually goes. Essien has made a respectable name for himself as being the ‘hard as nails’ defensive-midfielder, who isn’t afraid to get stuck in with a tackle or two. He provides a more than adequate cover over the Chelsea defence, with his main role to break down the forward play of their opponents. For Ghana, though, while he may put his Chelsea responsibilities to good use, Essien does get forward a lot more as so he can support the forwards, while everyone knows Essien can strike a ball very well from distance.

The bad news is, of course, that Essien may not feature due to a knee injury he sustained in the middle of December last year. Essien’s planned return has suffered several setbacks along the way and he could now miss the 2010 finals are a result. 

Stephen Appiah

Appiah captained Ghana in their first ever World Cup and he is set to do the exact same in 2010, but will he match the feat of 2006 which seen Ghana reach the last sixteen. He was actually the player which crushed Czech dreams back in 2006 and it’s obvious that Stephen Appiah loves the mantle of being captain. Appiah has been around the block at club level, mainly in the Italian division, a league where defensive qualities are crucial, and these qualities will be needed if Ghana are to enjoy their second stint in a World Cup.

Strengths

Back in Germany 2006, Ghana were a very solid outfit and an awkward side to break down, as Italy, USA and the Czech’s found out. The Italians were the only one of the three to beat Ghana but even they struggled to break a workmanlike Ghana defence down. Michael Essien & Stephen Appiah are a rigid backbone to an unheard of defensive line while Inter Milan’s Sulley Muntari can also provide an adequate service in the centre of the park. Rarely do Ghana thump sides, they often win games by the odd goal, absorbing the opposition attacks and then hitting them on the break. Ghana will be a frustrating team to play against in the summer, one us English fans hope we don’t draw.

Weaknesses

Their lack of fire-power. During the group stage of qualifying, Ghana never managed more than 3 goals in a single game, and while that may sound a ridiculous thing to say, against the average opponents they were facing, they should of scored a lot more regularly. Ghana are short of quality forwards, with Asamoah Gyan & Matthew Amoah the likely striking partnership for Ghana this summer. The pair average under a goal every other game and, although that may seem an OK average, we must take into consideration that they have come up against some ordinary African nations and not against the quality of defences that will await them in South Africa. It will be a test for their attackers to say the least and one we aren’t sure they’ll pass.

Ghana Qualification for the World Cup

Sector: Africa

Group: D

Position: 1st

Win-Draw-Lose: 4-1-1

Goals Scored: 9

Goals Conceded: 3

World Cup Qualifying statistics:

• Ghana were the first African nation to book their place in the South African World Cup, securing qualification with two games to spare.
• Matthew Amoah finished as Ghana’s top goalscorer during qualifying, scoring a reasonable tally of 5.
• Richard Kingson, the Ghana goalkeeper, was the only player to partake in each of Ghana’s 12 qualifying encounters.
• Ghana received 17 yellow cards during qualification, an average of 1.42, but didn’t receive a single red card. Perhaps their new Serbian coach has installed discipline into the Ghana ranks.

World Cup Potential: 2/5

Ghana will be a difficult group opponent, with their awkward set up and style of play, but their solid tactics won’t be good enough against sides that will punish them if given half-a-chance. Their defence will frustrate opposing teams and should earn them a few points in the group, but their apparent lack of fire-power does leave them extremely vulnerable against the better sides. Expect the Midfielders to chip in with a few this summer.

Ghana World Cup Betting Odds

Ghana to win the World Cup: 40/1 Sportingbet

Before the World Cup the odds on Ghana were 100/1 

Official Ghana World Cup Squad

Goalkeepers

Richard Kingston (Wigan)

Daniel Adjei (Liberty Professional)

Stephen Ahorlu (Heart of Lions)

Defenders

Samuel Inkoom (Basel)

Hans Sarpei (Bayer Leverkusen)

Lee Addy (Bechem Chelsea)

John Mensah (Sunderland)

Ibrahim Ayew (Zamalek Cairo)

Isaac Vorsah (Hoffenheim)

John Paintsil (Fulham)

Jonathan Mensah (Granada)

Midfielders

Dede Ayew (Arles)

Kwadwo Asamoah (Udinese)

Stephen Appiah (Bologna)

Anthony Annan (Rosenborg)

Sulley Muntari (Inter Milan)

Quincy Owusu Abeyie (Al Sadd, Qatar)

Derek Boateng (Getafe)

Kevin-Prince Boateng (Portsmouth)

Strikers

Prince Tagoe (Hoffenheim)

Asamoah Gyan (Rennes)

Dominic Adiyiah (AC Milan)

Matthew Amoah (NAC Breda)

last update: 18 June 2010

World Cup 2010 Ghana Fixtures – Group D

26/06 – 19.30 – Round of the last 16: Ghana – USA: 2-1 AET

02/07 – 19.30 – Quarter Finals: Ghana – Uruguay

World Cup Group D - Table

World Cup Fixtures and Results

World Cup Group of Ghana