Team Preview – Ghana
Ghana will be competing in their 3rd World Cup in a row after cruising through the African qualifiers which included a thumping 7-3 aggregate victory over Egypt in the final playoff tie. The Black Stars reached the quarter finals in South Africa four years ago and they will do well to reach that stage since they will need to navigate past European heavyweights Germany and Portugal as well as the number one team in CONCACAF, the United States.
The Ghanaian manager, James Appiah has picked a strong squad with players with experience in some of Europe’s top league including Serie A, League 1 and the Bundesliga. It could be an exciting group if Ghana bring their a game with proven goalscorer, Asamoah Gyan leading the line in his 3rd World Cup.
Manager – James Kwesi Appiah is the first Ghanaian to manage the national side to the World Cup and since taking over in 2012, Appiah has looked to build on the nations attacking philosophy. He has looked to play many of his attacking weapons at once including Jordan Ayew, Christian Atsu and Kevin Prince Boateng which means that they should be an exciting package in this group.
Star Player – Former Sunderland striker, Asamoah Gyan has 39 goals in 77 appearances for Ghana and he has flourished since being handed the captain’s armband having scored 11 goals in 15 games. Gyan had the misfortune of missing a crucial penalty that would have put Ghana into the semi finals in 2010.
Since 2011 he has been at UAE club, Al Ain which would have to be seen as below his class with the 28 year old having 100 goals in only 89 matches, but still he turns out for his nation and is often the one that makes the difference when his side needs one.
Players to watch
Kwadwo Asamoah – The 25 year old Juventus player has the versatility to play anywhere on the left hand side of the pitch. Having debuted for the Black Stars back in 2006, Asamoah already has 59 caps where he also appeared in the 2010 tournament.
Asamoah has been the recipient of the last two Ghana Player of the Year Awards and is set to play an integral role for his side this time around with his tireless runs up the left flank.
Michael Essien – Most football fans would know of the 31 year old Milan midfielder who has spent past seasons at Chelsea and Real Madrid. Many wouldn’t know that for the Black Stars his role in the team is more robust than his sit and hold role for his club sides.
The 2006 African Footballer of the Year will be looking to pull the strings in a young squad where he is the only player over the age of 30. He will be the team’s vice captain for the tournament where he will be hoping to add to his 9 international goals from his underrated set piece ability.
Christian Atsu – The 22 year Vitesse winger on loan from Chelsea is a hot prospect because of his burning pace and impressive technical ability. Debuting for Ghana in 2012, Atsu now has 21 caps for the Black Stars and 5 goals which all came during the World Cup qualification process.
The former Porto player will be one of the handful of attacking outlets that Appiah will look to deploy and a couple of impressive showings could have the winger on the edges of Chelsea’s first team next season.
The Draw
First up they play the United States which will be a tough battle in which both teams will be desperate for the win if they are any chance of making it out of the group. Then they face European heavyweights Germany before finishing with a Portugal side that may well still be in the hunt for top spot.
Previous best and Prediction
Ghana was the closest African team to ever make a World Cup semi final in 2010 when Asamoah Gyan failed to convert a penalty in the final minutes of their quarter final clash against Uruguay. This time around there won’t be as much angst as the African nation will finish 3rd in the group, above the United State on goal difference. They will score goals but they won’t score as many as the Germans and the Portuguese
World Cup Record
9 matches 4 wins 2 draws 3 losses 9 goals for 10 against top scorer Asamoah Gyan (4)
FTSAUS Fact – Kevin Prince Boateng will potentially face off against his younger brother, Jerome in their second match of the tournament. Jerome is a 38 cap German international and coincidentally both had the option of playing for either nation because they were born in Germany to parents of Ghanaian citizenship. This will be the second World Cup where the brothers could square off.
Extra time – Ghana are a good side, and with an slightly easier draw I would really back them to make it to the Round of 16. As it is though group G just seems too tough for a nation which is still in its infancy when it comes to World Cup football. It will be exciting to watch them play and my best advice is that you watch them play Portugal in what could be a high scoring match.
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