Nickname: The Black Stars
Manager: Milovan Rajevac
Previous World Cup appearances: One
Best finish: Second round, 2006

Key players:
Michael Essien
Stephen Appiah (captain)
Sulley Muntari

After the hosts, the Black Stars became the first African side to qualify for South Africa with a 2-0 victory over Sudan in September 2009.

Boasting a team studded with the likes of Chelsea's Michael Essien and Inter Milan midfielder Sulley Muntari, the West African nation will be hopeful of improving on an impressive inaugural World Cup showing in Germany in 2006.

Back then, they may have been bundled out of the tournament at the hands of Brazil in a 3-0 second-round loss, but their enterprise forced the football world to sit up and take notice.

Ghana used to be renowned for producing the odd flair player like Abedi Pele and former Leeds striker Tony Yeboah, alongside four African Cup of Nations wins in 1963, 1965, 1978 and 1982 - without ever gelling into a coherent whole.

However, the "Brazil of Africa" has come a long way in recent years on the back of a team ethic that echoes the qualities of another former player - Sammy Kuffour of Bayern Munich.

The core of their side revolves around the resourceful midfield trio of Essien, Muntari and veteran skipper Stephen Appiah.

Their hustling and bustling in Germany was the prime reason for group wins over the USA and the Czech Republic following an opening game reverse against eventual winners Italy.

Meanwhile, wily Premier League defenders John Mensah and John Paintsil have helped to stiffen a backline that used to leak goals by the dozen.

Serbian coach Milovan Rajevac, who previously filled the hotseat at Red Star Belgrade, has taken over the reins successfully from Claude Le Roy.

Whether they go further than the second round in South Africa depends to a great extent on their inconsistent strike force.

It's all well and good putting goals past Benin and Mali, but only time will tell whether Junior Agogo, Matthew Amoah and Asamoah Gyan can find the net at crucial times on the world stage.

Essien, though, is looking forward to another shot at glory when he enthused recently: "It was brilliant playing in Germany at the last World Cup and it will be a dream to do it all over again in South Africa come 2010."