Manager: Milovan Rajevac

Key player: Michael Essien

Best: Round three (2006)

World ranking: 37

Ghana were the only African side to progress beyond the first round in the 2006 World Cup and became the first African side to reach the 2010 World Cup via the qualifiers when they defeated Sudan 2-0 in Accra. Inter Milan's Sulley Muntari and Chelsea's Michael Essien scored the goals in each half to give Ghana an unassailable lead at the top of qualifying Group D. In truth though, despite the improvements Mali and Sudan have made, it would have been a major shock had they failed to qualify.

The Black Stars are reliant on the superb Essien and his midfield partner Muntari. Both have shown enough for their respective club sides to suggest they can compete with the world's best. However, there are concerns over the goalkeeping position and they lack a potent goalscorer. If they keep their discipline they could repeat their feat of 2006 but are unlikely to go much further.