Serbia looms for Ghana
Ghana launch its FIFA World Cup Group D campaign against Serbia and the outcome could decide whether the Africans survive the first round.
Victory at Loftus Versfeld, one of three rugby union stadiums transformed for the first tournament staged by Africa, and the 'Black Stars' will feel confident of a top-two finish in a pool completed by Germany and Australia.
But defeat at the 50,000-seat Pretoria home of two-time southern hemisphere rugby champion the Bulls would leave the 2010 African Nations Cup runners-up probably needing maximum points against the Germans to survive.
Serbia-born coach Milovan Rajevac admits the Cape Town draw last December did a Michael Essien-inspired team no favours and predictions that it could go all the way to the July 12 (AEST) Johannesburg final are far from his thoughts.
"We are in a strong group with Australia, Germany and Serbia and all the matches will be tough," conceded the 56-year-old plucked from Eastern Europe obscurity two years ago in an interview with the Accra media.
"The opening match is against Serbia and I know a lot about them. Australia have a strong team and Germany are favourites to win this group. Our target is to advance from the group stage and move on from there."
And "on from there" could mean a second-round showdown against England and a reunion for injury-plagued midfield dynamo Essien with Chelsea team-mates Ashley Cole, John Terry, Frank Lampard and Joe Cole.
Despite an English season from hell that saw him witness the Chelsea Premiership-FA Cup double from a stand seat, Essien believes he can start against the Serbian 'White Eagles'.
"I have to keep working hard on my fitness and that is what I am doing. It is up to the medical team because if they declare me ready, I will be in South Africa," he stressed.
Hamstring problems sidelined Essien late last year and after just 45 minutes of Nations Cup action against Ivory Coast during January, he sustained a knee injury while training in Luanda and has not played since.
Essien does not possess fond memories of the 2006 World Cup in Germany - the first four-time African champion Ghana qualified for - as a ban ruled him out of a loss to Brazil with the 3-0 scoreline flattering the South Americans.
Injuries ravaged Ghana ahead of the Nations Cup and two victims, central defenders John Mensah of Sunderland and John Pantsil of Fulham, are expected to return while Samuel Inkoom and Hans Sarpei guard the flanks.
Inter Milan reserve midfielder Sulley Muntari has settled differences with Rajevac that kept him away from Angola and veteran former captain Stephen Appiah is fit again if ring rusty with minimal action for Bologna.
Ghana boast an embarrassment of midfield riches led by Essien with Nations Cup star Kwadwo Asamoah of Udinese and Anthony Annan from Rosenberg other possible starters against the Serbs.
France-based striker Asamoah Gyan scored three goals during the Nations Cup, including knockout-stage winners against Angola and Nigeria, and his probable strike partner is Matthew Amoah from Dutch outfit NAC Breda.
Rajevac demonstrated in Angola that he is a pragmatic, results-obsessed coach and the 'Black Stars' won three consecutive matches by taking the lead, then retreating in depth at the slightest hint of trouble.
http://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/2010-world-cup/news/1002862/Serbia-looms-for-Ghana