Team profile: Ghana

These African debutants bring with them a CV worthy of respect. The “Black Stars” have been African champions four times and World Champions at Under 17 level twice. Their first appearance is seen as an opportunity to finally live up to their potential, something which has so often been mismanaged d

FIFA Ranking: 48

Coach: Ratomir Dujkovic

Key players: Michael Essien, Stephen Appiah, Samuel Kuffour

World Cup record: First appearance

Qualifying route: Won African Group 2

Key question: Can a side whose star player is a defensive midfielder score the goals that will be needed for Ghana to sparkle?

Squad:

Goalkeepers#
Sammy Adjei1
George Owu16
Richard Kingston22
Defenders
Hans Sarpei2
Samuel Osei Kuffour4
John Mensah5
Emmanuel Pappoe6
Shilla Alhassan Illiasu7
Habib Mohammed13
John Pantsil15
Daniel Quaye17
Issah Ahmed21
Midfielders
Michael Essien8
Derek Boateng9
Stephen Appiah10
Sulley Ali Muntari11
Eric Addo18
Otto Addo20
Haminu Dramani23
Forwards
Asamoah Gyan3
Alex Tachie-Mensah12
Matthew Amoah14
Razak Pimpong19

Group matches:

v Italy, 19:00 GMT, Monday 12th June – Hanover

v Czech Republic, 16:00 GMT, Saturday 17th June – Cologne

v USA, 14:00 GMT, Thursday 22nd June – Nuremberg

 

Source: Al Jazeera