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Black Stars ready to shine

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Team: Ghana

World ranking: 38

Nickname: The Black Stars

The Black Stars were the only African team to survive the group stages during the 2006 World Cup in France. They were the only African team in the knockout stages of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, going on to be eliminated in the quarterfinals in a controversial game against Uruguay.

Following one of their toughest qualifiers, Ghana went on to record a resounding 6-1 first leg win at home, against Egypt, in the play-offs. The victory initially settled the tie and sent them into their third FIFA World Cup in succession. They later suffered a 2-1 defeat in the second leg in Cairo.

Ghana will surely receive a boost as midfield ace, Michael Essien, makes his return to the national fold.
Brazil will be Ghana’s third World Cup berth.

Key players: Michael Essien, Sulley Muntari, Andre Ayew and Kevin-Prince Boateng

Coach: Kwesi Appiah

He is the former captain of the Black Stars, as Ghana is affectionately known.

Ghana Football Association has given Appiah a two-year contract extension until July 2016, “as a sign of faith beyond the World Cup.”

Appiah will be the first Ghanaian coach to lead out the Black Stars at a World Cup.

Country Profile
Ghana is the first country in Africa to gain independence. The country became emancipated from British colonial rule in 1957 and Kwane Nkrumah became the first president of the country.

Nkrumah also became instrumental in the liberation of other African countries. He called for African unity and he was one of the founding members of the Organisation of African Unity.

For many he was the champion of Pan Africanism and won the Lenin Peace Prize in 1963. The prize by the Soviet Union was awarded to distinguished individuals for strengthening peace among people.

During his governance he was faced with challenges including unifying four territories of the country, corruption and mismanagement. Nkrumah was overthrown through a military coup in 1966 and then went to live in Guinea where he was made co-president. He continued with his quest for African unity until he passed away in 1972.

A multiparty system was approved in Ghana in 1992. Ghana is a country with diverse cultures. The Ghanians come from six main ethnic groups; the Akan, Ewe, Ga- Adangbe, Mole- Dagbani and the Gurma.

The Akan are divided into two different groups; the Ashanti and Fanti. The Ashanti tribe is the most dominant in the country. The ethnic group is known for its hand craft work.

English is the official language in the country. Other languages spoken include Twi, Fante, Ga, Haysa, Dagbani, Ewe and Nzema.

The society consists of Christians, Muslims and others believe in their traditional African religions. Sport has always been used as a way to forge national unity in the country. The country’s economy is one of the stable economies in the continent and has maintained growth in since 2008.

• Full name: Republic of Ghana
• Population: 25.5 million (UN, 2012)
• Capital: Accra
• Area: 238,533 sq km (92,098 sq miles)
• Major languages: English, African languages including Akan, Ewe
• Major religions: Christianity, indigenous beliefs, Islam
• Life expectancy: 64 years (men), 66 years (women) (UN)
• Monetary unit: Cedi
• Main exports: Gold, cocoa, timber, tuna, bauxite, aluminium, manganese ore, diamonds
• GNI per capita: US $1,410 (World Bank, 2011)
• Internet domain: .gh
• International dialling code: +233

– By Tshepo Tsheole and Lerato Matlala

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