Can Rajevac’s squad take Ghana to the second round?

With 34 days to go, Ghana’s provisional team is out. But do you like it?

Four local players, including three goalkeepers are part of Milovan Rajevac’s provisional squad for the 2010 World Cup. Before you answer the poll ahead, look at the list, think about well and give your answer.

Dominic Adiyiah (pictured) Ghana’s Golden Ball and Golden Shoe winner at last year’s Under 20 World Cup was given a call-up.

The Black Stars are housed in Group D and will open their campaign against Serbia on June 13, play Australia six days later before facing Germany on June 23. Even with the injury situation of key players like Michael Essien and John Mensah and the fact that Stephen Appiah has not played competitively for almost two years, they were added.

Many feel that a 70% fit Essien is way better than a fully fit Somebody Else, and that the inspirational qualities of John Mensah and Stephen Appiah should not be forgotten. However, many also believe that the World Cup does not forgive teams with half-crocked players and that Ghana should assemble its fittest 23.

The World Cup tickets of all matches are now available for sale. Football tickets of all the matches of World Cup are for sale at ticket4football.com, you can buy the Ghana World Cup tickets for its the upcoming matches and World Cup Football tickets of other teams on this website.

Rajevac focuses on Burkina Faso

Ghana might have missed their shine on a disappointing night in Cabinda after losing 3-1 to Ivory Coast in Group B of the African Nations Cup.

But the Black Stars have one last opportunity to sparkle and progress in the competition when they round up their group campaign on Tuesday against Burkina Faso in Luanda.

Though a difficult campaign, Ghana must now beat Burkina Faso to advance in the competition after the group was reduced to three teams when Togo withdrew following a deadly attack on their team bus last week.

Amid the prospect of an early round elimination, Ghana coach, Milovan Rajevac remains optimistic as he readies his team for the crucial clash against Burkina Faso, held 0-0 by the Ivory Coast in their opening Group B game.

“They (Ivory Coast) were more experienced,” said Rajevac.

“Quality and experience was the key of Ivory Coast’s team. For us now it is, to be or not to be,” said Rajevac.

For Rajevac and Ghana making their debut, the Black Stars must now beat Burkina Faso for a place in the last eight and nothing less.

“We must do our best to prepare for this game (against Burkina Faso) and win it.”

The World Cup tickets of all matches are now available for sale. Football tickets of all the matches of World Cup are for sale at ticket4football.com, you can buy the Ghana World Cup tickets for its the upcoming matches and World Cup Football tickets of other teams on this website.

Essien arrives ahead of opener

Ghana's camp welcome Michael Essien ahead of Friday's opening game against Ivory Coast in Cabinda.

The midfielder arrived in Angola on Wednesday and flew to the Northern town of Cabinda where the Ghana team is based.

Essien had seen his arrival delayed by the wintry weather conditions in London.

Ghana opens its campaign against Ivory Coast in Group B on Friday.

The Black Stars have had to wait until Friday to play in the competition after the their scheduled Group B opener against Togo on Monday was called-off after the Hawks flew home on Sunday following the deadly gun attack on their bus in Cabinda two days earlier.

The group has now been left with three teams with the Black Star set to play their first game at the competition against Ivory Coast.

Ivory Coast drew goalless with Burkina Faso in the first game at the new Chazi Stadium in Cabinda and will round up their group campaign against Ghana.

The World Cup tickets of all matches are now available for sale. Football tickets of all the matches of World Cup are for sale at ticket4football.com, you can buy the Ghana World Cup tickets for its the upcoming matches and World Cup Football tickets of other teams on this website.

Stars win big in test match

Ghana recorded a huge 8-0 win over a South African third-division side Sunday in a test match ahead of the African Nations Cup which kicks-off next week.

The two sets played for 45 minutes each as head coach tinkered with the team to tune their preparations.

The first half ended 5-0 with goals from Rahim Ayew, Opoku Agyemang, Dominic Adiyiah and a double from Ransford Osei.

Line-up: Daniel Agyei, Samuel Inkoom, Harrison Afful, Jonathan Mensah, Vorsah Isaac, Ransford Osei, Dede Ayew, Dominic Adiyiah, Agyemang Dadu, Opoku Agyemang, Moussa Narry.

The second set in what is suspected to be a probable starting line-up scored three goals through an Asamoah Gyan brace and a Dede Ayew goal.

Line-up: Philemon McCarthy/Richard Kingson, Lee Addy, Harrison Afful, Eric Addo, Matthew Amoah, Asamoah Gyan, Haminu Draman, Andre Ayew, Kwadwo Asamoah, Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu, Ibrahim Ayew.

The World Cup tickets of all matches are now available for sale. Football tickets of all the matches of World Cup are for sale at ticket4football.com, you can buy the Ghana World Cup tickets for its the upcoming matches and World Cup Football tickets of other teams on this website.