It was sheer bad luck that Ghana went out of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. The team missed a last minute penalty during extra-time, against Uruguay, when Asamoah Gyan squandered a golden opportunity to take his team to the semifinal. The team ultimately lost 4-2 on penalties. If Gyan had scored that goal, Ghana would have become the first African country to qualify for the semifinal. Now, in Brazil, the Black Stars are in a tough Group.
Ghana is pitted against Germany, Portugal and the United States in Group G. The team has to prove that its dream run in South Africa was not a one-off show. The team polished off its rivals despite being drawn in a tough initial qualifying group and then proved too good against Egypt in the play-off round to make it to the finals in Brazil.
The strategy to be employed by the team in Brazil is simple — an attractive brand of football based on speed and quick counterattacks. This has been the mantra of the team manager, Kwesi Appiah, ever since he took charge in 2012. The team also seems to have been bolstered by the return of Michael Essien and Kevin Prince Boateng. Both announced their retirement in 2011.
The back four has been troubled by injuries on and off but what should provide the cutting edge to the team is its frontline which has the presence of Andre Ayew, the talented son of Ghanaian legend Abedi Pele and Wakaso Mubarak, who took his home country almost single-handedly to the semifinal of the recent African Nations Cup.
However, the spotlight could still be on Asamoah Gyan who will captain the side and would be playing upfront alongside the wingers.
Ghana has more than a point to prove in Brazil.
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