Outright Odds: 250/one
Group E Winners: 12/1
Right after profitable 4 African Cup of countries titles and making players of the calibre of Abedi Pele and Tony Yeboah, the Black Stars have competent for the World Cup finals for The very first time in ten attempts, stretching back to 1962.
Regardless of becoming a force in African soccer concerning the nineteen sixties and 1980s, qualification for the planet Cup was under no circumstances a significant exercising and much more not long ago the region endured from weak administration both on and off the pitch to scupper their tries to get to the 1994, 1998 and 2002 finals.
Nevertheless, this issue was eradicated beneath new manager Ratomir Dujkovic. The Serbian took in excess of in December 2004 after Portuguese coach Mariano Barreto Stop four months previously. Dujkovic savored achievement with Rwanda, major a team dubbed as no hopers for their to start with African Cup of Nations finals in 2004.
His impact was apparent as Ghana gained 4 in their five remaining qualifying fixtures, together with a 2-0 absent victory http://edition.cnn.com/search/?text=꽁머니 about South Africa 꽁머니 and finally topping their group by five factors in the expense on the Bafana Bafana.
Where by Ghana excel is in midfield. Chelseas Michael Essien can be a essential player for his country and it has also shone at club level, Irrespective of criticism of his 24.4 million price tag imposed by previous club Lyon. They are really captained by still left-footed Stephen Appiah who now plys his trade at Turkish outfit Fenerbahce adhering to eight seasons in Italy with Udinese, Parma, Brescia and Juventus. Sulley Muntari also brings with him Serie A knowledge as he is at present about the guides at Udinese.
Ghana have already been boosted in defence with the return of Roma centre 50 percent Samuel Kuffor. The former Bayern Munich defender was outside of favour subsequent a dispute Using the coach but considering the fact that apologising he is back again in contention. Even devoid of him Ghana boasted a mean defence, conceding just four targets in ten qualifying matches, the minimum of any African nation.
In spite of a strong setup, Ghana go into their World Cup group since the unfancied outsiders which could perform to their advantage. They're pitted versus one of the Event favourites in Italy on their own opening match so there isn't a actual pressure for them. The workforce have gelled effectively below Dujkovic and therefore are effective at leading to an opening match upset.
Further than that they might wrestle because they absence players that has a true leading edge in attack. The responsibility might be on Vitesses Matthew Amoah and Modenas 20-yr outdated striker Gyan Asamoah.
Advisable Wager:
Ghana are effective at catching out slow-starters Italy of their first match and qualifying from the team might be An important accomplishment. Additional challenging games towards the Czech Republic and United states of america could begin to see the Black Stars narrowly miss out on out.
Ghana to beat Italy @ 5/one