Ghana

Coach: Milovan Rajevac

Key Player: Sulley Muntari

World Ranking: 32

World Cup Record: 1 previous appearance in 2006

Group D Schedule:
13 June – Serbia v Ghana
19 June – Ghana v Australia
23 June – Ghana v Germany

Ghana coach Milovan Rajevac has described as a 'disaster' the injury crisis that threatens to hamper his team's prospects at the World Cup finals.

To make matters worse, their star player Michael Essien will now not be on the plane to South Africa. The Chelsea midfielder has been recovering from a knee injury picked up at the African Nations Cup in January. He played just 45 minutes at the tournament in Angola after suffering a hamstring injury in the Champions League in November.

His loss is a blow to Rajeva, who recently described Essien as the leader and engine room of his team.

Sulley Muntari has pace and a sharp shot and new playmaker Kwadwo Asamoah is a huge talent. Samuel Inkoom will be a force down the right side as he overlaps and Isaac Vorsah is a colossus in defence.

Final Squad:

Goalkeepers: Richard Kingson (Wigan/ENG), Daniel Agyei (Liberty Professionals/GHA), Stephen Ahorlu (Hearts of Lions/GHA)

Defenders: Samuel Inkoom (FC Basel/SUI), Jonathan Mensah (Grenada/ESP), Lee Addy (Bechem Chelsea/GHA), Rahim Ayew (Zamalek/EGY), Hans Sarpei (Bayer Leverkusen/GER), John Mensah (Sunderland/ENG), Isaac Vorsah (Hoffenheim/GER), John Paintsil (Fulham/ENG).

Midfielders: Sulley Muntari (Inter Milan/ITA), Derek Boateng (Getafe/ESP), Anthony Annan (Rosenborg/NOR), Kwadwo Asamoah (Udinese/ITA), Andre Ayew (Arles-Avignon/FRA - on loan), Stephen Appiah (Bologna/ITA), Quincy Owusu Abeyie (Al Sadd/QAT), Kevin-Prince Boateng (Portsmouth/ENG)

Forwards: Matthew Amoah (NAC Breda/NED) Asamoah Gyan (Rennes/FRA), Prince Tagoe (Hoffenheim/GER), Dominic Adiyiah (AC Milan/ITA)