Ghana's odds to win the World Cup
250/1
Best World Cup
Quarter-final 2010
2018 World Cup
Did not qualify
Ghana's World Cup Schedule
|
Date |
Fixture |
Location |
|
24th November 4pm |
Stadium 974, Doha |
|
|
28th November 1pm |
Education City Stadium, Al Rayyan |
|
|
2nd December 3pm |
Al Janoub Stadium, Al Wakrah |
Road to Qatar
Despite losing their second qualifier to South Africa, four subsequent wins and a draw were enough to earn Ghana a two-legged playoff against Nigeria. A goalless home draw appeared to give the advantage to Nigeria, but the game turned on an early Thomas Partey goal in the return leg, and although Nigeria equalised soon afterwards, the Black Stars survived a tense finish to hang on and go through on the away goals rule.
Recent form
Ghana enjoyed a mixed bag of results during a hectic four-month schedule that saw them win five, draw two and lose three of their ten games since June. They concluded their summer preparations with a 1-0 success against Nicaragua, but their previous 3-0 defeat to Brazil probably offers a better indication of the challenges that Ghana are likely to face in Qatar.
Ghana squad
Goalkeepers: Lawrence Ati-Zigi (St Gallen), Danlad Ibrahim (Asante Kotoko), Abdul Manaf Nurudeen (Eupen).
Defenders: Joseph Aidoo (Celta Vigo), Daniel Amartey (Leicester City), Abdul-Rahman Baba (Reading), Alexander Djiku (Racing Strasbourg), Tariq Lamptey (Brighton & Hove Albion), Gideon Mensah (Auxerre), Denis Odoi (Club Bruges), Mohammed Salisu (Southampton), Alidu Seidu (Clermont).
Midfielders: Mohammed Kudus (Ajax), Daniel-Kofi Kyereh (Freiburg), Elisha Owusu (Gent), Thomas Partey (Arsenal), Salis Abdul Samed (Lens).
Forwards: Daniel Afriyie (Hearts of Oak), Andre Ayew (Al Sadd), Jordan Ayew (Crystal Palace), Osman Bukari (Red Star Belgrade), Issahaku Abdul Fatawu (Sporting Lisbon), Antoine Semenyo (Bristol City), Kamal Sowah (Club Bruges), Kamaldeen Sulemana (Rennes), Inaki Williams (Athletic Bilbao)
Team insights
Probable formation: 4-3-2-1 Ghana are a team in transition, and as such will be difficult to assess until they take the field. Their new coach Otto Addo appears to have quickly formed a bond with a squad packed with emerging talent, which could make the Black Stars an attractive team to watch. Ghana’s first choice goalkeeper Jojo Wollacott was dealt a cruel blow on Saturday, when a finger injury suffered in the warm-up of Charlton’s game at Burton proved serious enough to rule him out of the World Cup. Despite that blow, Addo can call upon the services of several players currently gracing the Premier League, including Brighton's exciting full-back, Tariq Lamptey, who will be part of a back four that could also include Leicester City's Daniel Amartey and Southampton's Mohammed Salisu. The midfield unit will be orchestrated by Arsenal's Thomas Partey, who will be working with Elisha Owusu and Mohammed Kudus to support to a forward line that will be led by long-serving captain Andre Ayew, possibly alongside his brother Jordan.
World Cup prospects
If the undoubted talent available in Ghana's squad can gel into a harmonised unit, then the Black Stars could be a match for anyone in their group and beyond. Their opening game against Portugal will be crucial in assessing their progress, and if they can squeeze a draw there and beat South Korea, then they might just have the belief to see off Uruguay as well and emerge as the shock success story of this tournament
. Best hope: Last 16 if others falter
Read more about each of Ghana's Group H opponents: