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Ghana takes centre
stage today as it opens its World Cup campaign against European side,
Serbia, at the Tshwane/ Pretoria stadium in South Africa.

The Black Stars are
one of the six teams carrying the hopes of the continent, believing
that it could shock the rest of the World at the first Mundial on
African soil. The team has faced injury problems with its most
influential player, Michael Essien, being the worst hit.

Regardless of the absence of Essien, coach Milovan Rajevac believes all hope is not lost for his team.

Reaching the finals
of the Nations Cup in Angola in similar circumstances has been a morale
booster for the squad as it struggles for qualification in a group that
also has Germany and Australia

History

Before now, the
only meeting between these sides was a friendly game played out 13
years ago in Seoul, which was won by the former Yugoslavia 3-1.

Serbia (previously
participating as Yugoslavia and then Serbia and Montenegro) have lost
their last four matches played at the FIFA World Cup, suffering
consecutive defeats against Netherlands in 1998 and 2006, before
slipping up against Argentina and Cote d’ Ivoire, also at Germany 2006.

Their last victory dates back to June 25, 1998, when a goal by defender Slobodan Komljenovic secured a 1-0 victory over USA.

Ghana has never drawn a match at the World Cup, having collected two wins and two defeats from their solitary outing in 2006.

Cautious approach

Both teams are
cautious of each other and no one can afford the luxury of underrating
the other. Serbian defender, Aleksander Lukovic in an interview with
FIFA.com extolled the qualities of the Ghanians: “Ghana are a quality
team and many of their players have prominent roles in their respective
clubs.

Meanwhile, Black
Stars midfielders Kwadwo Asamoah and Sulley Muntari have both appealed
for calm and assured Ghanaians that they hope to be ready for Ghana’s
opener against Serbia today, admitting that they were initially
concerned that they might not be fit to face the Europeans in the Group
opener.

However, after a
light run out when Ghana beat a select side from Durban 4-0, Asamoah
expressed optimism about his fitness battle. “I had to miss the last
training session after I took a knock. It was the wisest thing to do.”
The player had to sit out the Stars’ second training session as a
precaution after picking up a knock in training on Monday.

Ghana coach Milovan
Rajevach has revealed little about his starting line up ahead of Sunday
but it would be a major tactical switch if Asamoah does not play behind
in form striker Asamoah Gyan.

Interestingly also,
Milovan Rajevach is the second Serbian coach to lead a team against his
home nation, after Blagoje Vidinic watched his Zaire side mauled 9-0 to
Yugoslavia in 1974. He would be looking forward to prove a point with
his African side.

World Cup head-to-head

Ghana has never faced Serbia, or the former Yugoslavia, at the World Cup.

All-time head-to-head Games played: 1 Yugoslavia: 1 win, 0 losses, 0 draws Ghana: 0 wins, 1 loss, 0 draws

Goals: Yugoslavia 3, Ghana 1 Last match: Ghana faced the former Yugoslavia in Seoul, South Korea in 1997 and lost

Previous Appearances at the world Cup

Serbia: 10 Ghana: 1