Milo eyes Ghana second-round place

Having reached the finals of two major continental competitions so far since taking up the Ghana job in August 2008, Milovan Rajevac will be heading for his third competition, the World Cup, with the Black Stars.

Ghana reached the 2010 Nations Cup final without six regular players where Rajevac relied heavily on some emerging youngsters.

"We had nothing to lose," Rajevac said. "We came here for the experience. We got it, and now we will hopefully use it at the World Cup."

Just like being one of the last sides to leave the African Nations Cup in Angola earlier this year, the Serbian is hoping for a similar experience when Ghana arrives at the World Cup in South Africa.

Things will be different in South Africa for the Black Stars coach, who faces his native Serbia, Germany and Australia in Group D.

Rajevac looks back to the Nations Cup run and admits that the World Cup will certainly need his experienced members if all injured players are passed fit.

"We certainly want to go all the way to the finals," he said. "We have got a team that can help us achieve that goal. Experience is important at the World Cup."

The Serbian coach says getting past the group stage is important after Ghana, making their debut four years ago at the World Cup reached the second round in Germany.

“We are in a strong group with Australia, Germany and Serbia; and all the matches will be tough. The opening match is against Serbia and as a Serb, I know much about them. Australia has a strong team and Germany are the favourites in the group. For us, our target is to advance from the group stage and will move on from there,” the Ghana coach said.