Muntari hoping for Ghana hat-trick

Sulley Muntari has challenged his Ghana teammates to expect a tough contest in the qualifying for the 2014 FIFA World Cup as they prepare to kick off their chase of a third straight appearance in the finals.

The Black Stars open their qualifying campaign in Group D at the Baba Yara Stadium against Lesotho on Friday as the African qualifiers enters the second round stage.

Following appearances at the two previous World Cups, Ghana find themselves in a tough group which includes African champions, Zambia and Sudan.

Only one team from the four-nation group will progress to the third round where the ten teams that advance from the second round will be paired into five home-and-away series to determine the final sides that reach Brazil.

Muntari, who has been promoted to the captaincy in the absence of John Mensah says the Black Stars are braced up for a difficult campaign.

“Yeah, before you go to the World Cup, everything is difficult. Even if it’s one game or if you are in the final to win the Cup, it’s difficult," said Muntari, who will captain Ghana against Lesotho.

“Everything is difficult in football. We are just looking forward to the game on Friday and we want to win and want to be in the World Cup.”

Muntari, a campaigner in both of Ghana's World Cup appearances and with two goals to his name is determined to help the Black Stars to a third successive finals.

“The World Cup is an amazing event and every player wants to play in the World Cup. I personally want to do it for the third time," the Ghana midfielder said.

"By doing that we have to start winning. So, we want to do that against Lesotho and then we will go to Zambia."