Odds of Ghana Winning the 2014 World Cup?

Chances of Ghana winning the 2014 Brazil World Cup

Ghana has a better chance of winning the World Cup in this year’s Brazil 2014 World Cup. The Black Stars as they are commonly known have world class players playing in some of the top clubs in the world. Ghana, performed well in 2010 World Cup in South Africa reaching the quarter finals, but failed to proceed to the semifinals. This was after the Al-Ain striker Asamoah Gyan missed a crucial penalty against Uruguay in the quarterfinals after Suarez’s intentional handball on the line in the dying minutes of extra time when he smashed the crossbar with the ball. In this year’s Brazil 2014 world cup Asamoah must now put that behind him and focus on reaching the finals and lifting the cup for the continent.

Group G- ‘Group of Death’

Is Ghana in a group of death? Well Ghana finds itself in Group G alongside Germany, Portugal and the USA. Ghana is a strong side, but it faces worthy opponents from Europe i.e. Germany and Portugal. Ghana must be prepared to beat either one of them to proceed from the Group stages. If Ghana beats either Germany or Portugal then this will be a clear message that they are here to win the tournament. In the previous World Cup Ghana lost narrowly to Germany by1-0 but they managed to proceed to the quarter finals as runners up of their group. Germany is a good side and Ghana will have to watch out for the German stars such as Mesut Ozil of Arsenal who scored the solitary that gave Germany a win against Ghana in World Cup 2010.Others include attacking midfielders Marco Reus, Thomas Muller, Lucas Podolski, Toni Kroos just to name but a few. Everyone is betting on Ghana to beat the USA after all Ghana defeated USA in the previous world cup to proceed to the quarter finals. Ghana has had a much more impressive profile than the USA in the previous world cups. However the USA will be all out for revenge, Ghana has beaten them in the last two World Cups both in 2010 and 2006. Portugal will be a hard nut to crack for Ghana, their major threat will be how to contain the fantastic forward Cristiano Ronaldo. Ghana’s best bet will be to beat USA and have at least one win and a draw against Germany and Portugal to make it to the last 16. The first two games should earn Ghana at least 4 points. If Ghana beats USA then it will be relying on USA to perform well against Germany or Portugal much to their advantage.

The Black Stars’ Key Players

Asamoah Gyan shined in World Cup 2010 and has been instrumental in helping Ghana qualify for the World Cup. Asamoah is in top form and he can score goals and that is what Ghana needs a top scorer who can give them an early lead in the matches. Ghana will be relying on its key players its main forward Asamoah Gyan and a strong midfield consisting of players like Michael Essien, Kevin Prince Boateng of Schalke, Sulley Muntari, Kwadwo Asamoah and a strong defense.

Ghana’s coach James Kwesi Appiah knows only too well how important it is for the Black Stars to make through the group stages. Ghana will meet USA in their opening match for the group stages and getting a win in their first match will be crucial. It is going to be tough beating USA a third time at the World Cup. The weather in Africa and Brazil is somewhat similar and it should favor Ghana. Ghana can pull a surprise on everyone and win the 2014 Brazil World Cup.