World Cup 2006 factfile: Ghana

DORTMUND, June 25, 2006 (AFP/GNA) - Factfile on Ghana who play Brazil in a World Cup 2nd rd (last 16) E match here on Tuesday:

GHANA

Honours:

- Previous World Cup appearances: 0

- African Nations Cup champions: 4 (1963, 1965, 1978, 1982)

FIFA world ranking: 48

Odds: 50/1

Coach: Ratomir Dujkovic

Has earned reputation as being a patron saint of lost causes during a nomadic coaching career that has taken in stints in Europe, South America, Asia and Africa.

Was appointed as Ghana boss after predecessor Mariano Barreto quit suddenly during qualifiers and nine months later was lauded as a hero after clinching the country's first ever World Cup finals appearance.

Key player: Stephen Appiah

In the absence of their suspended Chelsea midfield star Michael Essien, Ghana will look to their gifted skipper Stephen Appiah to hold the side together in the face of the expected Brazilian onslaught. A pure product of Ghana's impressive under-17 program, Appiah has a wealth of experience at top Italian clubs including Juventus and he now is starring for Turkish side Fenerbahce.

Squad

Goalkeepers: Sammy Adjei (Mohadon Sports Ashdod/ISR)), Richard Kingston (BB Ankaraspor/TUR), George Owu (AshantiGold) Defenders: Addoquaye Pappoe (Ashdod Tel-Aviv/ISR), John Painstil (Hapoel Tel Aviv/ISR), John Mensah (Rennes/FRA), Issa Ahmed (Randers/DEN), Sammy Osei Kuffuor (AS Roma/ITA), Hans Adu Sarpei (Vfl Wolfsburg/GER), Dan Quaye (Hearts of Oak), Habib Mohammed (King Faisal), Shilla Illiasu (Asante Kotoko)

Midfielders: Stephen Appiah (Fenerbahce/TUR), Michael Essien (Chelsea/ENG), Sulley Ali Muntari (Udinese/ITA), Haminu Dramani (Red Star Belgrade/SEM), Eric Addo (PSV Eindhoven/NED) Derek Boateng (AIK Solna/SWE), Otto Addo (FSV Mainz 05/GER)

Forwards: Asamoah Gyan (Modena/ITA), Matthew Amoah (Borussia Dortmund/GER), Razak Pimpong (FC Copenhagen/DEN), Alex Tachie-Mensah (St. Gallen/SUI)

World Cup 2006 record

June 12 At Hanover

Italy 2 (Pirlo 40, Iaquinta 83) Ghana 0

June 17 At Cologne

Czech Republic 0 Ghana 2 (Gyan 2, Muntari 82)

June 22 At Nuremberg

Ghana 2 (Dramani 22, Appiah 45+2-pen) United States 1 (Dempsey 43)

Brazil v Ghana head-to-head record (FIFA records)

Brazil leads 1-0

1996: Brazil 8 Ghana 2 (Rio Preto)