Ghana coach targets World Cup final
Ghana coach Milovan Rajevac is confident the Black Stars can advance to the final of the 2010 Fifa World Cup on 11 July in South Africa.
The Serb, whose master plan landed an inexperienced and injury-ravaged Ghana team in the final of the just ended Africa Cup of Nations, remains upbeat of replicating such feat.
With the inclusion of key players-Michael Essien, John Mensah, John Painstil, Sulley Muntari, Stephen Appiah and Laryea Kingston-and all fit, Ghana are likely to become an unbeatable side.
Rejevac claims he has moulded a team which can shock the rest of the World at the mundial.
"We are on top of our game right now and we should use this opportunity to achieve greater things. I'm pleased with the way my team performed at the recent Afcon. Remember most of our star players were injured and we had to throw the youngsters in the deep end but they didn't disappoint,'' Rajevac told the Mail and Guardian newspaper.
"Right now what I'm doing is finding the perfect mix for the World Cup. I want to take a group of youngsters and mix them with the experienced players and we'll have a balanced team.
"I intend to use our coming friendly matches to look at our youngsters. Back home people are behind the team and are expecting us to perform like we did in the Afcon. The reception we received even though we lost was great. My goal for the World Cup is to do as we did in the Afcon, get through the knock-out stages and advance step by step to the final."
Milo, as he is popularly known in Ghana, has reiterated his readiness to stamp out all forms of indiscipline in his squad ahead of the finals.
"I want to have the best squad for the World Cup, which is why we won't tolerate ill-discipline from any player. The only thing that can prevent us from getting the best players is injuries because that we cannot avoid. I recently spoke to Muntari who told me that his biggest wish is to play for the Ghana national team again and that was convincing enough for me to select him again for future matches. You will see him feature in more games." he added.
Ghana play Serbia in their Group D opener before meeting Australia and Germany.