In the final months of 2013, Ghana was in real danger of missing the World Cup 2014 at the end of a rather disappointing qualifying campaign. Everyone expected them to cruise to the groups and book a flight to Brazil without having to go through the playoffs, but this was not the case. On the bright side, the players rebounded in the double legged round against Egypt and utterly destroyed their rivals in the first leg.
Group stage and event prospects
Without a doubt, its offensive midfielders and strikers are gone is best asset at the World Cup 2014 but they need to step up their defensive efforts. The reason for why trying to score one more goal than their opponents won't get that far is that they shared the group with Portugal and Germany. Both teams are deadly on counterattacks and are equally capable to maintain constant pressure, due to formidable midfield and some remarkable strikers.
Not surprisingly, Bet365 credits Ghana with the last chance to make it to the next stage, although odds of 3.75 are just slightly bigger than those given to the United States. Germany is at the opposite end of the spectrum and expected to collect all three points, leaving the other teams to compete for the second place. Portugal is in pole position and will play accordingly, but this might provide the African nation with a unique opportunity to score. The challenge is to keep players motivated even if the first games to deliver expected results, because qualification is played until the final whistle of the third game.
Key players for Ghana at the World Cup
Akwasi Appiah needs to take advantage of its gifted defensive players and there is a very good chance for the coach to use three strikers. Even though this exposes them to dangerous counterattacks, it would be a shame to let all this talent go to waste. Another interesting strategy is to use five players in the midfield, with the intention of providing Gyan with enough useful passes for the striker to score. Bet365 offers odds of 101 to 1 for Gyan to score the most goals at the World Cup 2014.
On his own, he can inflict a lot of harm to opponents, but the striker will be far more effective if he has Ayew on his side. Since the striker is fit to play and did a fine job at his club, the same bookmaker gives him odds of 151 to 1 to emerge as top scorer. He's a relatively young player, who needs to hone his skills but time is definitely on his side and he is expected to play in the next edition of the World Cup.
The first game of the group stage will be the most important one, as Ghana will play against United States and the team that loses is virtually out of the race. A draw would keep them alive but won't mean too much and that's why both teams are expected to shift into more aggressive gear. The African nation's biggest liability is its defense, which is not aging gracefully and has never been remarkably good.
The bottom line
The most important match is the opening one for both underdogs and the odds for Ghana to advance to the next stage depend on what they do against the US. While the chances for the African nation to win the event are slim to none, the odds of 251 given by Bet365 might be tempting. Risk-averse punters would be better off, betting on games individually, if they are confident in Ghana's chances.
