16 June,2014 08:24 AM IST | | AFP
Ghana will kick off their World Cup campaign in Natal tipped to beat the United States today, but their bid for a coveted semi-final place could prove a much harder task
Ghana's forward Asamoah Gyan (C) takes part in a training session at the Das Dunas stadium, Natal. Pic/AFP
Natal: Ghana will kick off their World Cup campaign in Natal tipped to beat the United States today, but their bid for a coveted semi-final place could prove a much harder task.
Ghana eliminated the USA in the knockout round four years ago to make it to the quarter-finals before bowing out to eventual fourth-place finishers Uruguay.
In South Africa, Serbian coach Milovan Rajevac, with Kwesi Appiah as assistant, steered the Black Stars into the last eight.
But they were cruelly denied a place in the last four when Asamoah Gyan failed to convert from the spot following a handball on the goal-line by Uruguay's Luis Suarez, with Uruguay going on to win the penalty shoot-out.
Aiming higher
Four years on and the aim of Appiah, the first Ghanaian to coach the Black Stars at a World Cup, is to take the Africans a stage further. But with Group G rivals Germany and Portugal widely expected to grab the top two qualifying places, a healthy dose of realism may be required.
Appiah's side features a host of big names who ply their trade in Europe, from Juventus wingback Kwadwo Asamoah to AC Milan midfield pair Michael Essien and Sulley Muntari, Schalke forward Kevin-Prince Boateng and striker Jordan Ayew, who plays for Marseille.
