Preview: Serbia – Ghana

(GSM) – Serbia are by many considered one of the dark horses for this World Cup and get their first chance to prove themselves in Sunday’s group game with Ghana.

The Serbians had no difficulties securing a spot at the World Cup, finishing first in their qualifying group ahead of France.

The preparation for these finals was not quite as it should have been with a 1-0 defeat against New Zealand last month. A goalless draw with Poland was followed up by a 4-3 win over Cameroon.

Many eyes will of course be on Manchester United defender Nemanja Vidic, clearly the biggest name on Serbia’s squad. Up front, the incredibly tall Nikola Zigic (202cm) will look to intimidate his usually much shorter opponents.

Ghana won their African qualification group at the expense of Benin, Mali and Sudan and reached the final of the Africa Cup of Nations last January, losing 1-0 to Egypt.

The Africans played only two friendlies ahead of this tournament. The Netherlands were much too strong and won 4-1, but Latvia were defeated 1-0.

There was a huge blow for Ghana in the build-up to this tournament as star player Michael Essien suffered an injury and could not join the team to South Africa. But the team still includes a number of big names, such as Stephan Appiah, Sulley Muntari and Kevin Prince Boateng.

The match begins at 16:00 local time at Pretoria’s Loftus Versfeld Stadium, with Argentinian Hector Baldassi appointed as referee.