Italy is 'Ghana' Get It Tough

Ghana starts its first ever World Cup campaign against three-times champions Italy in Hannover, Germany, tonight.

Coach Ratomir Dujkovic revealed he wants to make the Black Stars the first African World Cup semi-finalists. Not only does the Serb believe his players can beat Italy today he insisted they can reach the last four in Germany.

Ghana might be newcomers at this level, but there are some excellent individuals, three of whom actually ply their trade in Italy.

Black Stars regulars Stephen Appiah, Sulley Muntari and Samuel Kuffour have all shown their worth in Italy's Serie A.

And of course there is the Chelsea midfielder Michael Essien - one of the best central midfielders around with a price tag to match.

Defender Kuffour and Italian creative genius Totti are team-mates and friends at club level for Roma, but here in Hanover, the role of the experienced Kuffour will be to nullify the attacking initiatives of the talented Totti, providing he proves his fitness.

Udinese teammates midfielder Muntari and Italian forward Vincenzo Iaquinta will also be at opposite ends of the pitch.

Deprived of star players Gianluca Zambrotta and Gennaro Gattuso, and with doubts concerning the fitness of Francesco Totti, the Italian side have good reason to be apprehensive.

Even an Italian side riddled with problems and scandal have to be respected, however, Dujkovic has warned the three-time world champions not to underestimate his side.

Ghana also face 2002 quarter-finalists the United States and Czech Republic, ranked second in the world, in the group. It's all about three matches, three matches in 10 days to be precise. These matches will define the Black Stars and, in many respects, Ghana football around the world for the next four years.

Italy is 'Ghana' Get It Tough

ITALY like to do things the hard way - and they certainly won't get it easy when they launch their campaign today.

The Azzurri are in what appears to be the second toughest group after being drawn with the Czech Republic, USA and Ghana.
Although the two European sides are favourites to progress it could be any two from four.

And after what happened in the Trinidad v Sweden encounter, this World Cup already looks tough to predict.

The Italians are notorious slow starters and even when they won the tournament in 1982, in Spain, they drew their first three games.

They will also be without a couple of star men and are hurting over the match-fixing allegations which have rocked Serie A.

Italy have won just one of their last five tournament openers, against Ecuador, and may have to settle for a draw against the Ghanaians who possess a major star in the shape of Chelsea's Michael Essien as well as Roma's Samuel Kuffour.

Up front they don't look as good with Asamoah Gyan and Matthew Amoah some way short of world class.

Italy have a new scoring hero in the shape of Luca Toni and Serie A's top scorer is likely to be partnered by Alberto Gilardino with Filippo Inzaghi providing menace off the bench.

There could be a start for Francesco Totti if he is deemed match fit.

In the other Group E clash the Czech Republic will look to Jan Koller, to shoot down the USA.