By Patrick Akoto
Asamoah Gyan insists the Black Stars will not crack under the burden of expectation at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
It’s another big year for the Africans as they are confronted with old foes USA and Germany as well as Portugal in a difficult group G games.
The Ghanaians will open the tournament with a tricky tie against the Americans – a side they have defeated in the last two World Cups before tackling European giants Germany and Portugal.
The Black Stars are faced with a real threat of their ambitions of making history at the global showpiece after reaching the quarter-finals in the last edition four years ago.
However, captain Asamah Gyan, who currently plays for UAE side Al Ain, says his colleagues have accepted the challenge and will surprise many in Brazil.
“In 2006, we were in the same group with Italy. Italy went through to win the Cup and we made it instead the US, who were rated 4th in the world around that time and Czech Republic was rated 5th in the world at that time and Ghana was the underdog. And we were able to deliver,†Gyan is quoted by the Ghana FA website
“The same thing happened in 2010. We were the same underdog and we were able to deliver. So, it has happened before and I don’t feel any pressure at all.
“We’ve got a lot of experience in the World Cup. We’re going to make sure we make every Ghanaian proud by playing our normal game and we’ll see what happens.â€
“Portugal has got a great team. Germany, of course, is the favourite; that’s what people are saying. Statistically, they are the favourite in the group, but you might not know what is going to happen,†he added
“Any country that qualifies for the World Cup is a good one. That is where it’s a bit tricky, so we have to just watch out.â€
Ghana, which is making her third appearance are seen as Africa's real chance of making an impact in the South American country.