Ghana

The Black Stars run into the World Cup after a depleted side made a surprisingly appearance in the final of the African Cup of Nations in February – which they lost to Egypt. Ghana were without Essien (who got injured) and Sulley Muntari (who was left out of the squad for disciplinary reasons) yet still managed to perform the best of the African nations who have qualified for South Africa, using rising stars who helped Ghana win the Under 20 Youth World Cup in 2009.

Muntari has patched up his differences with manager Milvan Rajevac and so should be a creative force in the Ghanaian midfield, whilst there are questions over Essien’s fitness after having knee surgery. Realistically though, even an unfit Essien is probably going to be the first name on the team sheet.

Milovan Rajevac, as the name may suggest, is himself not of African origin. Instead the Serb will be organising a side whose competition includes that of his homeland. For many, Serbia may be the surprisingly nation in this year’s World Cup – there is always one and hopes on North Korea and New Zealand are futile verging on mad (in one case in particular) – and with Australia and Germany being the other two opponents, to progress to the second round as they did in their first World Cup in 2006 will be a major achievement.

In 2006 Ghana progressed only to meet Brazil in the second round. If the Black Stars do make it through the group, probably by gaining a second place slot, fortune does not favour them, with a likely match against the English the probable outcome.

Unlike the Ghanaian midfield the defence has no real international names, so keeping a clean sheet at the tournament may be difficult. On top of this, the African side also play with the lone striker Gyan, and despite the frontman having a good scoring record, the Black Stars only managed to score 4 goals in 5 games in reaching the final of the African Cup of Nations. For a group as tough as the one they are in – Group D – both of these areas are simply not good enough.

One player to watch in the tournament may be that of Kwadwo Asamoah. The Udinese 21 year old is the creative force behind the side and will be looking to take his African Cup of Nations form into the upcoming World Cup.

The rest of the side has more of a destructive nature with defender John Mensah being commonly referred to as the ‘Rock of Gibraltar’, Michael Essien picking up the nickname ‘The Bison’, whilst Stephen Appiah is known as ‘The Tornado’. This tough fighting attitude is going to be needed against the likes of Vidic, Podolski and Lucas Neill.

Ghana have been unfortunate. The squad does provide much potential, yet through injuries to key players in the run-up to the tournament and by being drawn in a very difficult group, their chances to progress, I believe, look more like the typical female waistline of those on show in Edinburgh, as opposed to those witnessed in the sun in Glasgow. An unsteady defence, coupled with a lack of goals, mean that a fighting midfield will struggle to force their nation into the second round.