| Although they did not make their first FIFA World Cup | | | | average, a little older now, and feature a number of |
| appearance until 2006, Ghana has a long history of | | | | players who are stars in the big leagues, including |
| dominating in African soccer. They won their third | | | | Chelsea midfielder Michael Essien and former MLS |
| African Cup of Nations title in 1978 and were given the | | | | striker Junior Agogo, the latter of whom is the team's |
| original trophy, named the Abdelaziz Abdallah Salem | | | | leading goalscorer. |
| Trophy, to keep forever. Overall, they are a four time | | | | Locally, the Ghana national team is known as the Black |
| winner and four time runner up in the African Cup of | | | | Stars and is currently managed by Milovan Rajevac, a |
| Nations Tournament. | | | | former Serbian professional soccer star. He was only |
| Back in 2006, Ghana was the youngest team to take | | | | appointed in 2008 after Frenchman Claude LeRoy quit |
| the pitch during the World Cup with an average player | | | | the post, even though under his tutelage the squad |
| age of 23. Although they eventually were knocked out | | | | achieved their highest FIFA ranking ever - 14th - in |
| of the tournament in the second round by Brazil, the | | | | February of 2008. |
| impressive wins they scored in the first round over the | | | | Their all-time leading goalscorer is Abedi Pele with 33 |
| USA and the Czech Republic garnered them great | | | | goals in 73 appearances, and he is also their all-time |
| attention. | | | | "cap" leader for most appearances in international |
| The squad likely to head out to Johannesburg are, on | | | | competitions. |