Ghana

As it usually is with African teams – they not only represent their countries but also should proudly represent their continent as no team from Africa managed to get into the semifinals. Ghana was closest of them all four years ago.

They will not disgrace

But it didn’t happen due to Luis Suarez’s goal line handball in extra time and then a missed penalty by Asamoah Gyan that led to penalty kick shootout which was eventually won by Uruguay.

Now, with players reaching their peak years, Ghana wants to at least replicate 2010 result. “Once the players are all fit we hope to deliver,” coach Kwesi Appiah said. “Every coach has a target and I believe in my players and the national team, but I cannot tell where we will get to” he added and assured, that his team will not disgrace Ghanaians.

It’s hard to pick the best player in Ghana’s team but it’s easy to indicate their strongest positions – midfield and attack. In Mickael Essien, Ghana has an experienced, combative defensive midfielder.

Milan’s connection

He made his name in Olympique Lyon and then Chelsea but with progress of football and focus on universality he disappeared from the starting eleven and was loaned to Real Madrid and Milan. Not so bad either, but he still lacks match fitness. He will though play as a holding midfielder.

Alongside him – his Milan colleague Sulley Muntari, known for his energy and shot power but also for his decreasing pace. He picked up a yellow card in all three games at 2006 World Cup, so it’s likely that he will be suspended for at least one game during this tournament.

Another player connected to Milan, though sold last year to Schalke, is Kevin-Prince Boateng, who should start games as a number 10. He did play in this position in Bundesliga, but he also featured as winger, striker and holding midfielder and in the latter position he did feel most comfortable. But in national team his eye for a goal will probably be better utilised closer to opponents box.

Unbalance at its best

Upfront Kwesi Appiah might choose Ayew brothers flourishing in Marseille with Christian Atsu helping them.  He may also go with Asamoah Gyan, who is a good striker even on European terms and might be the fourth African player to score in three World Cups. That leaves Ghana with an at least solid midfield and attack.

But problems are in defensive department with experienced centre backs John Mensah and Isaac Vorsah unavailable due to injuries and general lack of fitness. Appiah is then more or less forced to field relatively unknown duo of Samuel Inkoom and Harrison Afful. Both play in Africa and might not be good enough to play on such high level.

Playing style

Ghana is a team with solid midfield, fast attack but average defence so they will probably drop deep and create chances from rapid counter attacks. This is a talented team but they lack in sparkling quality which makes it a bit one-dimensional to aim for semi-finals.

Coach

This is Kwesi Appiah first job, but he learned from the best and spent some time in Europe on various courses. As a former left-back of Ghana, he is the first African coach to lead a team to the World Cup. He finished fourth with Ghana in last year’s African Cup of Nations.

Schedule and BETEGY predictions

16th June, Natal: vs. USA (1-0)

21st June, Fortaleza: vs. Germany (0-1)

26th June, Brasilia: vs. Portugal (1-1)

Ghana might have a shot at advancing to the knockout stages (49% chance) but Portugal’s chances are higher (51%) and according to BETEGY, Ghana will finish third above USA. Germany is too strong for the Africans.