Ghana
Group E | World ranking: 48 Coach: Ratomir Dujkovic
Key Players: Samuel Kuffour (Defender), Stephen Appiah (midfielder), Michael Essien (midfielder)
Past Record: First time in finals Group E Results:
June 12: Italy (0-2 | Report)
June 17: Czech Republic (2-0 | Report)
June 22: U.S. (2-1 | Report) Knockout Stages:
June 27: Brazil (3-0 | Report) Group Summary:
The Black Stars put an opening defeat by Italy behind them with a stunning win over Czech Republic and then claimed a well-deserved place in the second round by beating the U.S. -- setting up a well-earned clash with world champions Brazil. With key midfielder Michael Essien ruled out of that game by suspension, the West Africans will have their work cut out to go further, but at least their qualification ensured an African presence in the knockout rounds. Pre-Tournament Preview:
Despite four African Nations Cup titles and a host of top quality players over the years, Ghana's participation in the World Cup finals will remarkably be their first ever at their 11th attempt. Serbian coach Dujkovic has moulded together a young team brimming with pace and power, with the midfield trio of captain Appiah, Essien and Udinese's Sulley Ali Muntari proving inspirational in an impressive qualifying campaign which saw the Black Stars recover from the loss of their opening tie in Burkina Faso to remain unbeaten for the rest of the series. Experienced defender Kuffour is back in favor after a row with Dujkovic but the finals will prove a severe test for Ghana's young forwards. SquadGoalkeepers:
1. Sammy Adjei (Mohadon Sports Ashdod)
16. George Owu (Ashanti Gold)
22. Richard Kingston (BB Ankaraspor) Defenders:
2. Hans Adu Sarpei (Vfl Wolfsburg)
4. Sammy Kuffour (AS Roma)
5. John Mensah (Rennes)
6. Emmanuel Pappoe (Ashdod Tel Aviv)
7. Shilla Illiasu (Asante Kotoko)
13. Habib Mohamed (King Faisal)
15. John Painstil (Hapoel Tel Aviv)
17. Dan Quaye (Hearts of Oak)
21. Issa Ahmed (Randers) Midfielders:
8. Michael Essien (Chelsea)
9. Derek Boateng (AIK Solna)
10. Stephen Appiah (Fenerbache)
11. Sulley Muntari (Udinese)
18. Eric Addo (PSV Eindhoven)
20. Otto Addo (Mainz 05)
23. Haminu Dramani (Red Star Belgrade) Forwards:
3. Asamoah Gyan (Modena)
12. Alex Tachie-Mensah (St. Gallen)
14. Matthew Amoah (Borussia Dortmund)
19. Razak Pimpong (FC Copenhagen)
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