By Parke Brewer
Cologne
27 June 2006

Ghana is the only one of the five African nations to have made it to the second round of play at the World Cup in Germany. VOA Sports Editor Parke Brewer reports the so-called Black Stars are set to take on reigning World Champion Brazil.

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Brazilian players celebrate their second goal against Australia
  
Brazil is a five-time World Cup champion and ranked number-one in the world. Ghana is playing in its first-ever World Cup and is ranked 48th.

So you would think the Ghanaians would have little chance. But playing in perhaps the toughest group here at the tournament in Germany, Ghana defeated the second ranked Czech Republic and the fifth-ranked United States to earn a second round berth.

Ghana's Serbian coach Ratomir Dujkovic says his players are fearless.

Ratomir Dujkovic   
  
"We will try," said Ratomir Dujkovic. "We don't have anything to lose. And our guys, the Black Stars team, have the capability enough to face Brazil, and they are not afraid of Brazil. So it will be a nice game. You will enjoy it."

Ghana captain Stephen Appiah agrees with his coach.
 
 
Ghana captain Stephen Appiah
  
"We are happy that we are going to meet Brazil, and [we have] no fear, no fear," said Stephen Appiah. "I think its going to be an interesting game."

Ghana will have to play the match in Dortmund without star midfielder Michael Essien. He is suspended for accumulating two yellow cards in the first round.

The winner of the Ghana-Brazil match will play in the quarterfinals against the winner of Tuesdays late match between France and Spain.