FIFA RANKING : 32


Ghana were the first team to qualify for this 2010 Mega event. Though this will only be their second appearance at the finals, they have enjoyed considerable success at all levels of International Football. Recently in October 2009, they lifted the FIFA U-20 World Cup where they defeated Brazil on penalties in the finals. With a fresh lease of life, Ghana are set to be a major threat at Africa's first World Cup.



THE MANAGER
The Black Stars team is managed by Milovan Rajevac. A former defender who played his career in Yugoslavia, the Serbian was best known for his stint with Red Star Belgrade as well as leading perrenial Serbian stugglers FK Borac to their first ever qualification for a European Tournament.



THE SQUAD

Goalkeepers :
Daniel Adjei, Stephen Ahorlu, Richard Kingson



Defenders :
Hans Sarpei, John Paintsil, John Mensah, Samuel Inkoom, Jonathan Mensah, Isaac Vorsah, Abdul Rahim Ayew, Lee Addy.



Midfielders :
Anthony Annan, Derek Boateng, Stephen Appiah, Sulley Muntari, Andre Ayew, Quincy Owusu-Abeyie, Kwadwo Asamoah, Kevin Prince-Boateng.



Forwards :
Asamoah Gyan, Prince Tagoe, Matthew Amoah, Dominic Adiyiah.



MAN TO WATCH
Asamoah Gyan

In the absence of their Talismanic midfielder Michael Essien, the burden of expectation will be on Asamoah Gyan. The forward has impressed in the Qualification campaign and the Black Stars will be hopoing that he can show his ruthlessness in the Mega event as well. He is known for Pace as well as composed finishing and Ghana will hope that he leads the line up front.


FP VERDICT
Normally we would have said that Ghana would qualify for the knockout stages given the strength in their midfield, but now since they will be without Michael Essien who has been ruled out with injury, they would have to work hard in order to qualify from the group stage. They have been paired with Germany, Australia and Serbia which itself is a very tough group to overcome.