Ghanas Black Stars aim for winning start

In 2006, the Black Stars, then making their first ever appearance in the competition, were brushed aside 2-0 by eventual winners Italy, but bounced back with a shock 2-1 win over the then second-ranked team in the world, the Czech Republic, before a 2-0 triumph over the USA powered them into the second round, making them the only African team to reach that stage in that edition of the competition.

Today, more experienced in the competition than they were four years ago, the Black Stars come up against Serbia at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria, aiming for three points, which will make their job of repeating their 2006 feat a bit easier, ahead of their next two clashes with Australia on June 19 and Germany six days later to complete their Group D participation. Serbia will be making their debut appearance after they participated in previous tournaments as part of the old communist Republic of Yugoslavia.

When Ghana enjoyed the first round in their maiden World Cup voyage four years ago, Serbia were huffing and puffing as part of a Serbia and Montenegro side that succumbed to three straight defeats against the Netherlands, Cote dIvore and Argentina (6-0).

However, the Ghanaians will go into todays encounter knowing that the White Eagles are now a rejuvenated side, having qualified top-ranked in a group that also featured one of the perennial competition favourites France.

In qualifying, Serbia won seven games, drew one and lost only two of their 10 games a 5-0 drubbing of Romania sealing their qualification. The spine of Vladimir Stojkovic between the goalposts, coupled with the dependability of Manchester Uniteds Nemanja Vidic in defence, the versatility of Inter Milans Dejan Stankovic in midfield, the tenacity of Liverpool striker, Milan Jovanovic and Chelseas Branislav Ivanovic all suggest a Serbian side oozing with brilliant individual talent who on their day can beat the best.

With the gritty Michael Essien injured and lingering doubts over the availability of Inter Milan midfielder Sulley Muntari and Bollognas Stephen Appiah, the Black Stars will bank on the scoring prowess of the rejuvenated Asamoah Gyan their hero in Angola 2010, to hold. The Stade Rennais striker scored vital goals that took his side to the AFCON finals, where they narrowly lost to Egypt 1-0 and will be expected to take over from where he left off in January.

There were still doubts over the availability of playmaker Kwadwo Asamoah, the Udinese man having sat out two training sessions, after limping out of training with a knock last Tuesday, but youngsters Dominic Adiyiah, Andre Dede Ayew and Mathew Amoah, will be at hand to boost their teams attacking options, while expecting John Pantsil and John Mensah to hold fort at the back.

Captain Appiah promised during a media briefing at the sides training ground in Pretoria that Milovan Rajevacs side, already criticised for being too defensive and using one striker, was ready for todays game. “We are here to win and that is what we are going to fight for Sunday, said Appiah.