Countdown to South Africa: Spotlight on Ghana

Ghana are the first African (other then hosts South Africa) team to qualify for the 2010 World Cup. This is the Ghanaian squad i believe has the best chance of success at the World Cup next year.

First 11

GK. Richard Kingson, Club- Wigan, (AWC) 31.

RB. John Paintsil, Club- Fulham, (AWC) 28.

CB. Isaac Vorsah, Club- Hoffenheim, (AWC) 21.

CB. John Mensah, Club- Sunderland, (AWC) 27.

LB. Hans Sarpei, Club- Bayer Leverkusen, (AWC) 33.

RW. Laryea Kingston, Club- Hearts, (AWC) 29.

CM. Michael Essien, Club- Chelsea, (AWC) 27.

CM. Sully Muntari, Club- Inter Milan, (AWC) 25.

LM. Kwadwo Asamoah, Club- Udinese, (AWC) 21.

ST. Assamoah Gyan, Club- Stade Rennes, (AWC) 24.

ST. Prince Tagoe, Club- Hoffenheim, (AWC) 23.

Subs

GK. William Amamoo, Club- FC Telecom Egypt, (AWC) 28.

GK. George Owu, Club- Al Masry (Egypt), (AWC) 27.

RB. Daniel Opare, Club- Real Madrid Castilla, (AWC) 19.

CB. Samuel Inkoom, Club- FC Basel, (AWC) 20.

CB. Eric Addo, Club- Roda JC, (AWC) 31.

LB. Alfred Arthur, Club- FK Jagodina (Serbia), (AWC) 23.

Mid. Nana Akwasi Asare, Club- FC Utrecht, (AWC) 23.

CDM. Moussa Narry, Club- Auxerre, (AWC) 24.

CM. Derek Boateng, Club- Getafe, (AWC) 27.

LW. Quincy Owusu-Abeyie, Club- Spartak Moscow, (AWC) 24.

ST. Matthew Amoah, Club- NAC Breda, (AWC) 29.

ST. Ransford Osei, Club- FC Twente, (AWC) 19.

The Coach

Ghana are coached by Serbian Milovan Rajevac, previously he has coached Serbian clubs Red Star Belgrade, FK Vojvodina and FK Borac Cacak.

Ghana's Strengths

Ghana's strength is in the centre of midfield with Essien and Muntari playing with two of the best clubs in European football. The rest of the starting 11 also play at good quality clubs across Europe. Although the subs for Ghana aren't playing at the same quality of clubs as the first 11, the majority are playing at clubs in the the top division of their respective leagues across Europe.

Ghana's Weakness

Ghana's main problem is in the goalkeeping department with there currently only being one Ghanaian goalkeeper playing in Europe, Richard Kingson and he is currently in a battle trying to recognised as Wigan's second choice goalkeeper.