World Cup 2010, Ghana Vs. Serbia Preview: The Black Stars Debut In African World Cup

Ghana is one of the six African nations at South Africa 2010, and although they had the best showing amongst World Cup qualifiers at January’s African Cup of Nations, but drawn into the World Cup’s deepest group, the prospects for Black Stars’ advancing into the knock-out rounds was called into question. Today, those questions begin to be addressed as Ghana takes on Serbia in Pretoria.

Ghana has typically started conservatively in their matches, coach Milovan Rajevac electing to play a cautious 4-5-1 and wait for their position to expose vulnerabilities. Against Serbia, this could allow their opponents opportunities to set-up crossing opportunities and win dead balls, both playing into the Serb’s strengths. In addition, Ghana, sitting back an letting the match come to them allows Serbian wingers Milos Krasic and Mila Jovanovic to dictate the match.

Ghana’s strength in midfield could equalize this advantage, but with a relatively creative presence like Kwadwo Asamoah potentially playing a big part for Ghana, Rajevac can afford to play a more ambitious game and attack a Serbia defense that is more prone to error than the names Nemanja Vidic and Branislav Ivanovic would lead you to believe.

Still, there is a reason why Serbia is being picked by many to make a deep run in this tournament. The talent is undeniable, with names like Internazionale, Manchester United and Chelsea adorning the details of their squad list. Between their talent and that of the Black Stars, this is the first major clash of World Cup 2010, and given the dynamics of Group D, it could determine which team misses out on the knockout stage.