The Black Stars must go into the heat of World Cup battle without their crown jewel Michael Essien, and his absence is likely to prove costly at the finals.
Ghana reached the last 16 back in 2006 with wins against the Czech Republic and the United States before being pummeled 3-0 by Brazil. However, the chances of a repeat of that mini-achievement look insurmountable for a number of reasons.
Michael Essien’s knee injury has prevented head coach Milovan Rajevac from including the Chelsea midfield anchorman in his squad to travel to South Africa. Much hype has been made of the inclusion of Kevin-Prince Boateng, who qualifies by virtue of a Ghanaian father, despite having represented Germany at underage level. But the difference between Boateng and Essien is like gunge and gorgonzola. The Portsmouth midfielder is over-rated.
On a positive note, Ghana has an extremely youthful side. They are the reigning under-20 world champions and the likes of Asamoah Gyan, Kwadwo Asamoah and Samuel Inkoom are all players to watch out for at the finals.
The Black Stars were narrowly beaten by Egypt in the Africa Cup of Nations final in January but their warm-up matches included a 4-1 defeat to Holland. Their World Cup opener against Serbia could go any way and although we fancy the Serbs to earn qualification from the group, there may be little between the two nations on 13 June.
Star Player: Sulley Muntari
Inter Milan’s utility man. Jose Mourinho has used Muntari to good effect on the left wing throughout their treble-winning season, regularly springing him from the bench.
The former Portsmouth player has scored 15 goals in 52 international appearances. Although expected to play for Ghana in the 2010 African Cup of Nations in Angola, Muntari was excluded from the national team due to disciplinary problems and eventually made a full public apology to coach Milovan Rajevac, his team-mates and his country.
Sulley Muntari
Manager: Milovan Rajevac
The fact that Rajevac is a Serbian national brings its own added dimension to Group D as he will manage Ghana against his native country.
Rajevac’s managerial experience prior to his appointment in 2008 has all been in domestic Serbian football so you can expect him to know Ghana’s first opponents like the back of his hand.
The Ghana head coach uses a translator for directing instructions to his players which is never a help but he has tightened up the defensive unit and will not allow his players to concede too many times.
Prediction: Group stage exit
With Germany and Serbia the heavier weights in the group, a victory against Australia may be the only cause for celebration.
As we all know African nations struggle at World Cups and it would an upset if Ghana could manage better than third in Group D.
Odds: 100/1
Irishness rating: 3/10
There are certain distinct similarities. For Roy Keane eight years ago, read Muntari, who was thrown out of the squad for disciplinary reasons having gone AWOL for a friendly against Angola six months ago. Essien, his close friend and ally who also missed that game, later apologised and was pardoned but Muntari stood his ground, Keane-like. He was dropped from the squad for the Africa Cup of Nations but has since been reinstated for the World Cup. So not that similar at all, really.
If they were a car they’d be…
A Hummer – Powerful and brash. Will not be able to turn the corner.
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