Ghana will become the first African team to reach the semifinals of the World Cup if they beat Uruguay at the Soccer City Stadium on Friday. But they could be without four key players as they attempt to make history.
Andre ‘Dede’ Ayew has been a revelation in midfield but is suspended along with central defender Jonathan Mensah.
And the Black Stars also look set to be without Kevin-Prince Boateng, who has a hamstring injury, and Germany-based left back Hans Adu-Sarpei, who has a calf problem.
It was Boateng who scored against the US in the last round making Ghana, only the third African team in history to reach the quarterfinals after Cameroon in 1990 and Senegal 2002.
Boateng will be sorely missed if he fails a late fitness test, as will Ayew who captained the country when they became the first African team to win the Fifa under-20 World Cup, in Egypt last year.
Ghana, the youngest team in this tournament with an average age of 24 years, are already without their biggest midfield star, Michael Essien, who failed to recover from a knee injury in time for the World Cup.
Coach Milovan Rajevac, affectionately known as ‘Milo’ in Ghana, will call on Inter Milan midfielder Sulley Muntari to replace Ayew after Ghana tried unsuccessfully to have the youngster’s second yellow card over-turned.
Jonathan Mensah, who shone in place of the injured Isaac Vorsah against the US, should be replaced by Vorsah, who is now back in full-training.
Despite the absentees, the Black Stars have remained upbeat that history beckons on Friday in their first-ever clash with Uruguay.
“We’re focussed and wish to do Ghana and the whole of Africa proud,” said Fulham defender John Pantsil.
— DPA