Five Things to Know About Ghana

The U.S. Men’s National Team renews its rivalry with Ghana in a warmup for the 2017 CONCACAF Gold Cup on Saturday, July 1 at 4:45 p.m. ET (ESPN, UniMas and UDN).

Here are five things you should know about Saturday’s opponents.

The Country

Located in West Africa, Ghana’s southern border sits prominently on the Gulf of Guinea and is touched by Ivory Coast (west), Burkina Faso (west and north) and Togo (east). Colonized by Great Britain in 1874, Ghana declared its independence on March 6, 1957 and became a republic on July 1, 1960.

Today, Ghana has a population of 27 million and is one of the more prosperous nations in Africa. Known as “The Black Stars”, the National Team derives its nickname from the single black star that is front and center on Ghana’s red, yellow and green-colored flag.

Footballing History

While Ghana didn’t qualify for a World Cup until 2006, the Black Stars have been one of the most powerful nations in Africa since the country’s Football Association was founded in 1957.

• READ MORE: U.S. MNT Roster for Ghana Friendly, 2017 CONCACAF Gold Cup

The Black Stars are four-time champions of the Africa Cup of Nations, winning in 1963, 1965, 1978 and 1982. More recently, Ghana has placed in the top four at each of the last six tournaments and finished as runners-up at the 2010 and 2015 editions.

One of the prime contenders in African football, Ghana has qualified for each of the past three FIFA World Cups, advancing from the Group Stage in both 2006 and 2010. In the latter tournament, the Black Stars came painstakingly close to a Semifinal appearance, but fell victim to a Luis Suarez hand ball before falling 4-2 to Uruguay on penalty kicks in the Quarterfinal.

U.S. Rivalry

Having qualified for the past three FIFA World Cups, Ghana has met the U.S. Men’s National Team each time along the way. In every game, the final scored ended 2-1.

In 2006, the nations faced off in the final Group Stage match, where Clint Dempsey’s first-half equalizer was undone by a questionable penalty call that led to a conversion by Stephen Appiah as the Black Stars advanced to the Knockout Round.

• READ MORE: Learn All About USA-Ghana World Cup History

In 2010, Ghana and the U.S. met in the Round of 16. There, Kevin-Prince Boateng’s fifth minute strike was cancelled out by a penalty kick from Landon Donovan in the 62^nd minute. That goal sent things to extra time where Ghana prevailed again thanks to a 93^rd minute goal from Asamoah Gyan.

The sides last met in the opening match of the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil. This time, Dempsey tallied in the first minute and the U.S. led late before Andre Ayew pulled things even in the 82^nd minute. Just as it looked like Ghana would once again ruin the USA’s party, MNT defender John Brooks headed home the game-winning goal off a Graham Zusi corner kick in the 86^th minute, finally handing sweet revenge to the U.S. team.  

Where They’re at Now

Ghana finds itself one third of the way through the Final Round of Africa’s 2018 FIFA World Cup Qualifying process and has a lot of work to do in order to make its way to Russia. Currently third in its four-team group, the Black Stars will need to overcome Egypt (6 points) and Uganda (4 points) during its final four matches to ensure a fourth-straight FIFA World Cup appearance.

2018 FIFA World Cup Qualifying – CAF Third Round
Team	GP	W	L	D	GF	GA	GD	Pts.
Egypt	2	2	0	0	5	1	+3	6
Uganda	2	1	0	1	1	0	+1	4
Ghana	2	0	1	1	0	2	-2	1
Congo	2	0	2	0	1	3	-2	0

Results/Schedule:
Oct. 7, 2016 – Ghana 0-0 Uganda
Oct. 9, 2016 – Congo 1-2 Egypt
Nov. 12, 2016 – Uganda 1-0 Congo
Nov. 13, 2016 – Egypt 2-0 Ghana
Aug. 27 – Uganda vs. Egypt
Aug. 28 – Ghana vs. Congo
Sept. 2 – Egypt vs. Uganda
Sept. 2 – Congo vs. Ghana
Oct. 2 – Egypt vs. Congo
Oct. 8 – Uganda vs. Ghana
Nov. 6 – Congo vs. Uganda
Nov. 6 – Ghana vs. Egypt

Black Stars Roster

On June 25, Ghana head coach James Kwesi Appiah named a 22-player roster for the Black Stars two friendlies against Mexico (June 28) and the USA (July 1).

Six players on the roster have ties to the United States. Fresh off his hat trick in Chicago Fire’s 4-0 win against Orlando City SC, David Accam (pictured above) re-joins the Ghana squad and will look to line up against club teammate Dax McCarty in Saturday’s friendly. New England Revolution midfielder Gershon Koffie also received his first Ghana call and will hope to earn his first cap against club teammates Juan Agudelo and Kelyn Rowe.

Columbus Crew SC has a trio of players on the Ghana roster in defenders Harrison Afful and Jonathan Mensah, as well midfielder Mohammed Abu, while Miami FC attacker Kwado Poku is also in the squad. 

Finally, U.S. MNT fans will remember Asamoah Gyan. The Ghana captain tallied the game-winning goal in the Black Stars 2-1 extra time defeat of the USA during the Round of 16 at the 2010 FIFA World Cup. 

The full roster: 

GOALKEEPERS (2): Joseph Addo (Aduana Stars; 3/0), Richard Ofori (Wa All Stars; 0/0)

DEFENDERS (8): Harrison Afful (Columbus Crew SC/USA; 77/0), Lumor Agbenyenu (1860 Munich/GER; 0/0), Jerry Akaminko (Eskiserhispor/TUR; 10/1), John Boye (Sivasspor/TUR; 59/4), Jonathan Mensah (Columbus Crew SC/USA; 57/1), Nicholas Opoku (Berekum Chelsea; 0/0), Samuel Sarfo (Liberty Professionals; 0/0), Rashid Sumalia (Al Gharafa/QAT; 7/0),

MIDFIELDERS (8): Mohammed Abu (Columbus Crew SC/USA; 4/0), Frank Acheampong (Anderlecht/BEL; 18/2), Thomas Agyepong (NAC Breda/NED; 0/0), Winful Cobbinah (Hearts of Oak; 0/0), Ofori Ebenezer (Stuttgart/GER; 0/0), Gershon Koffie (New England Revolution/USA; 0/0), Kwadwo Poku (Miami FC/USA; 1/0), Isaac Sackey (Alanyaspor/TUR; 0/0)

FORWARDS (4): David Accam (Chicago Fire/USA; 7/1), Raphael Dwamena (FC Zurich/SUI; 0/0), Asamoah Gyan (Al-Alhi/UAE; 102/49), Majeed Waris (Lorient/FRA; 27/4)