Ghana pose Africa’s biggest World Cup threat

5th February

His young team may have lost narrowly in last week's Africa Cup of Nations final, but, already, Ghana's coach Milovan Rajevac is moving on.

The previously unheralded Serb forged a youthful, resilient unit from diminished resources to take the Black Stars within touching distance of the trophy they have craved since their last continental triumph in 1982. Having gained acclaim and admiring glances from fans, pundits and scouts alike, the next step for Ghana is to re-integrate a tranche of established stars into the hungry, disciplined group which maximised their talents in Angola.

The first step in this process was the announcement that versatile Inter midfielder Sulley Muntari would be welcomed back into the fold ahead of the summer's trip to South Africa.

Rajevac has been quick to build bridges - assuring the press that the problem was merely a "misunderstanding" which has now been "sorted". Pragmatically, the 56-year-old coach said:

"For the World Cup you need players with experience. Players like John Mensah, John Paintsil, Michael Essien, Sulley Muntari. They will be important players for the World Cup."

"But it depends on how much they want to play, because I want players who are willing to give their best for Ghana." He concluded: "All the players who got the chance in Angola used it very well so there will be a lot of competition."

Such a blend of youth and experience can only strengthen Ghana's claims as the most eminent hope of 'home' success at the first African World Cup. Of the other candidates, Paul Le Guen's Cameroon are perhaps too flaky; Algeria - blessed with a certain amount of capricious talent, but far too erratic; Nigeria - lacking in any cohesion and genuine quality in key positions. As for South Africa themselves; progress from the first phase will be considered a minor miracle in itself. That leaves only the Ivory Coast.

That's the glamorous, orange-shirted Côte d'Ivoire of the irrepressible Didier Drogba; of the indestructible Yaya Touré; a side of astonishing power, athleticism and no little finesse. Yet Les Éléphants find themselves drawn in a hideously difficult group alongside favourites Brazil, talented Portugal, and the hard-running 11-man defensive blockade that is the North Korean team. Should they somehow emerge from such a tough section, then, rightly, the Ivorians would feel confident of further progress. However, Coach Vahid Halilhodžić opined, in the aftermath of their Nations Cup exit: "Some of my players can't handle the favourites' status and the problem is in their heads."

A better bet, then, would be for the Ghanaians to escape Group D - comprising a German team in transition, ageing Australia and the dangerous Serbia, of whom Rajevac will be acutely aware.

It's far from a straightforward passage, of course - and England might await in the last 16 - but a squad comprising those who so impressed four years ago in Germany, such as Essien, Muntari, Mensah and the rehabilitated Rennes striker Asamoah Gyan, cannot be discounted. Add to the mix a whole host of talented youngsters (or Black Satellites, as they're known), and 'Milo' Rajevac can boast of a potent formula.

So will Ghana finally become Africa's first world champions? Not likely. Perhaps the first African semi-finalists? Don't put your money on it. But the continent's best hope of an illuminating run through the earlier stages of the greatest show on earth? Certainly.

footballingworld edited by soccerhene