Mertesacker wins 100thcap, Ghana's Appiah rings changes

Fortaleza (Brazil) (AFP) - Per Mertesacker makes a landmark 100th appearance for Germany after Joachim Loew named the same side which trounced Portugal 4-0 for their second World Cup Group G match against Ghana in Fortaleza on Saturday.

Vice-captain Bastian Schweinsteiger has to again be content with a place on the bench while Thomas Mueller, who scored a hat-trick against Portugal, starts ahead of veteran striker Miroslav Klose.

Mats Hummels won his race to be fit after suffering a thigh injury in Salvador on Monday and partners Mertesacker in central defence.

Ghana coach Kwesi Appiah made four changes to the side which lost their opening game against the United States.

Goalkeeper Abual-Fatawu Duada started for Adam Kwarasey, while Kevin-Prince Boateng comes into the side.

The Berlin-born Schalke 04 star will face his half-brother Jerome Boateng, who is at right-back for Germany.

Teams

Germany

Manuel Neuer; Jerome Boateng, Mats Hummels, Per Mertesacker, Benedikt Hoewedes; Philipp Lahm (capt), Sami Khedira; Mesut Ozil, Toni Kroos, Mario Goetze; Thomas Mueller

Coach Joachim Loew (GER)

Ghana

Abual-Fatawu Dauda, Christian Atsu, Kevin-Prince Boateng, Andre Ayew, Sulley Muntari, Mohammed Rabiu, Jonathan Mensah, John Boye, Harrison Afful, Asamoah Gyan (capt), Kwadwo Asamoah

Coach: Kwesi Appiah (GHA)

Referee: Sandro Ricci (BRA)