World Cup 2014 Team Spotlight – Ghana
Despite being the outsider of Group G, Ghana enters the 2014 World Cup finals as a side that has registered a pair of very strong showings in only two appearances, which included reaching the knockout rounds on both occasions and almost getting to the semifinals in 2010.
Group G: Germany, Portugal, USA, Ghana
FIFA Ranking: 38
Jun 16 v USA, Jun 21 v Germany, Jun 26 v Portugal
Odds to win: +150000 [dfads params=’groups=63740&limit=1&return_javascript=0′]
However, being drawn into a tough group and having an inexperienced manager, could be just the two things to end Ghana’s good succession.
Still, they are a solid side on the pitch, and have a good chance to make a decent start to the competition as they face the USA in their opening game — a team they have beaten twice before in 2006, and 2010 when they dashed the American’s World Cup hopes to progress the quarterfinals against Uruguay.
After that they came close to becoming the first ever African team to reach the semifinals, but ended up going out on penalties.
The rely on the experience of veteran midfielder Michael Essien and the speedy Asamoah Gyan, who – leads the Ghana offense with an impressive record of a goal every two games.
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If Ghana are going to secure a win or two this summer, then they will need him to be at his best up front, as he was in Ghana’s qualifying run. Ghana made quick work of their group stage and then followed that up with a huge qualifying playoff win against Egypt that ended 6-1 in Kumasi.
Under the watchful eye of boss Akwasi Appiah, who was appointed as Ghana manager in 2012, Ghana has again proven themselves to still be one of the best teams on the African continent, and a win over the USA would surely boost their chance of making it to the Round of 16.
But that means that they would still have lots of work left to do, as their next two matches will be against heavyweights Germany and Portugal. Nevertheless, gaining any points in those final two games would not be quite as big as a surprise as odd makers may have it.
And if they were to make it past the group stage, this Ghana team could be a handicapper’s sleeper dream.
Matt’s Free Prediction – Sleeper Favorite
What can I say.
Group G is going to be one of the toughest groups at the 2014 World Cup and that is why Ghana is nothing more than a longshot, making them a good second bet that could turn out to be a huge winner.
While I wouldn’t suggest that a handicapper slap down big bucks on this team to win it all, I would suggests a small side wager, which could pay huge dividends if Ghana can keep their World Cup performance streak alive.
