FIFA World Cup 2010
Ghana
 GhanaGhana Football Association Confederation:CAF Head coach: Milovan Rajevac Captain: Stephen Appiah Top scorer: Abedi Pele FIFA ranking: 32 World Cup Appearances: 1 Team Colors: Best Results
World Cup Round 2, 2006 African Nations Cup Winners, 1963, 1965, 1978, 1982 Olympic medal Bronze 1992 |
Ghana comes to this World Cup ready to prove that it is the best team in the African continent. In the last World Cup in Germany 2006, Ghana was the only such team that passed the first group stage; it now reaffirms its place as the first team in the continent to qualify for the 2010 South Africa World Cup. The Ghanaian team has made several achievements in various events in international football. Its resume highlights: four trophies in the African Nations Cup, two World Cups U-17 and recently, a first World Cup FIFA U-20. In group D, the Ghanian team could well become an important protagonist. The players have what it takes to advance to the second phase – and beyond.
Qualifying Stage
Ghana remained unbeaten after four games in the first stage of African qualifying and thus earned its place in the final stage.
The Ghana squad defeated Mali and Sudan at home, and despite suffering a surprise defeat against the Republic of Benin, the team qualified with no major problems to the World Cup in South Africa. During this stage, Matthew Amoah was one of the leading figures on this team. Perhaps the experience of this qualifying stage, combined with a good performance in Germany 2006, will serve to bring Ghana good results in this World Cup.
Players
Ghana has a list of world-class midfielders. In the transition between defense and offense, the figure of Michael Essien has been important. He, along with veteran captain Stephen Apiah, forms a duo that can give a big headache to any defense. John Mensah and John Paintstill are the best defenders for the team, along with goalkeeper Richard Kingons, who has extensive experience in the English Premiere League.
Head Coach
Milovan Rajevac, of Serbian origin, took the Ghana team in his hands after Claude Le Roy failed to move the team past the semi-finals of the2008 African Nations Cup, which was held in Ghana. At the end, the host team had to settle with the third place, and the discontent of the federation and the fans cost Le Roy his job. Rajevac on the other hand, has achieved some major accomplishments, specially, with underdogs who come to surprise everyone. Rajevac’s perfect chemistry with his talented players might take Ghana to the top of the international soccer.