With Rajevac in charge, Ghana could cause upsets

BRISBANE, Australia — When Milovan Rajevac applied for a vacant coaching position with Ghana, friends told him his lack of English language skills would harm his chances.

Yet conducting all his work through a translator, the former Red Star Belgrade defender has successfully overcome the language barrier to guide the west African nation to two major championships since his arrival in August 2008.

Despite spending both his playing and coaching careers in Serbia, Rajevac will nonetheless sit on the Black Stars bench at the World Cup in South Africa, exactly five months after reaching the African Cup of Nations final in Angola.

"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."

Things will be different in South Africa for Rajevac, who faces his native Serbia, Germany and Australia in Group D. He will be able to call upon an experienced bunch of players, who missed the tournament in Angola mostly because of injuries.

Ghana reached the African Cup final without regulars John Mensah, John Painstil, Stephen Appiah and Laryea Kingston. If, as expected, they all pass fit before kickoff in June, they would boost Ghana's World Cup squad.

Ghana was the first African country to qualify for the tournament, and Rajevac wants it to be the last to leave.

"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."

Inter Milan midfielder Sulley Muntari is back in contention after patching up his differences with Rajevac. Provided he recovers from a knee injury, Chelsea midfielder Michael Essien will also be around.

After a fine African Cup performance, younger players such as Andre Ayew and Samuel Inkoom will stake their claims for inclusion in the team as Ghana seeks to build on their second round in Germany four years ago.

However, Inter Milan forward Mario Balotelli turned down Rajevac's offer to play for Ghana. Balotelli was born in Palermo but is the son of Ghanaian immigrants.

Balotelli will not be missed if Asamoah Gyan reproduces his African Cup form. He scored three of Ghana's four goals in Angola en route to the final.