Outright Odds: 250/one
Group E Winners: twelve/1
Immediately after winning four African Cup of Nations titles and developing players on the calibre of Abedi Pele and Tony Yeboah, the Black Stars have competent for the globe Cup finals for The very first time in ten makes an attempt, stretching back again to 1962.
Irrespective of being a power in African football among the nineteen sixties and eighties, qualification for the World Cup was never ever a serious work out and a lot more just lately the state endured from bad management equally on and off the pitch to scupper their attempts to reach the 1994, 1998 and 2002 finals.
Nonetheless, this problem was eradicated beneath new manager Ratomir Dujkovic. The Serbian took above in December 2004 following Portuguese mentor Mariano Barreto quit four months earlier. Dujkovic relished good results with Rwanda, major a crew dubbed as no hopers to their first African Cup of Nations finals in 2004.
His influence was obvious as Ghana won four of their 5 remaining qualifying fixtures, such as a two-0 away victory over South Africa and inevitably topping their group by five details on the expense in the Bafana Bafana.
Exactly where Ghana excel is in midfield. Chelseas Michael Essien is usually a critical player for his country and has also shone at club stage, Irrespective of criticism of his 24.4 million cost tag imposed 우리카지노 by previous club Lyon. They're captained by left-footed Stephen Appiah who now plys his trade at Turkish outfit Fenerbahce adhering to 8 seasons in Italy with Udinese, Parma, Brescia and Juventus. Sulley Muntari also brings with him Serie A working experience as he is at the moment around the guides at Udinese.
Ghana happen to be boosted in defence from the return of Roma centre half Samuel Kuffor. The former Bayern Munich defender was out of favour following a dispute While using the coach but since apologising he is back again in contention. Even without him Ghana boasted a mean defence, conceding just four objectives in 10 qualifying matches, the least of any African nation.
In spite of a powerful set up, Ghana go into their Entire world Cup group as being the unfancied outsiders which could work for their benefit. They are really pitted towards one of several Event favourites in Italy on their own opening match so there's no real force for them. The staff have gelled perfectly under Dujkovic and are effective at triggering an opening match upset.
Beyond that they might wrestle as they absence players with a real cutting edge in attack. The obligation is going to be on Vitesses Matthew Amoah and Modenas 20-12 months outdated striker Gyan Asamoah.
Advisable Guess:
Ghana are able to catching out sluggish-starters Italy within their 1st match and qualifying with the team could be A serious success. More challenging video games against the Czech Republic and USA could begin to see the Black Stars narrowly pass up out.
Ghana to defeat Italy @ five/one