Brazil's stars face Ghana's teamwork

Wuerzburg: Ghana's biggest advantage over Brazil is its teamwork.

The only surviving African team at the World Cup will face the five-time world champions in Dortmund on Tuesday.

Ghana coach Ratomir Dujkovic admitted the odds are heavily stacked against the Black Stars, ranked 48th in the world by FIFA, but said Brazil's star-filled World Cup roster could be it's main weakness.

"I believe in our guys. They have the capability to stop the Brazilian team," said the Serb coach, who led the west African team to Group E victories over the Czech Republic and United States in their first World Cup outing.

"The (Brazilians) are not doing so well as before with all these stars. They have excellent individuality. But as a team they are not playing so well as before," Dujkovic added.

"It's better to play them now than in the final because in the final they are always the best ... Our strength is the team."

Still, Brazil's firepower is intimidating.

"It's normal that you prepare a strategy versus all these stars from Brazil," Dujkovic said.

"But it's very difficult to stop them. If you stop Ronaldino, there is Ronaldo. If you stop Ronaldo there is Roberto Carlos. If you stop (him) there is Cafu so it will be very difficult, very tough."

In their final training session, Ghana's players will be practicing penalties and their strong counterattack skills, the coach said.

And despite playing without suspended midfielder Michael Essien, at least Ghana advanced.

Togo, Angola, Ivory Coast and Tunisia were all eliminated in first round.

"I'm very happy and proud of my guys, how they played and ... defended the country and the continent," Dujkjovic said.

"These are historic results because this is our first World Cup and I believe we can do more in the future."

Striker Razak Pimpong and midfielder Haminu Draman, who picked up injuries in the match against the United States, will be fit to face the Brazilians.

Forward Asamoah Gyan and midfielder Sulley Muntari are back from suspension and almost guaranteed a starting place.

Captain Stephen Appiah, another certain starter, said his biggest worry is Brazil's ability to punish mistakes.

"We have to keep 120 (per cent) concentration because they have players who in two seconds can change the game," Appiah said.

Two defensive errors cost the Black Stars their opening game against Italy, which they lost 2-0.

Ghana FA spokesman Randy Abbey said the players had learned from their blunders.

"This team improves match after match," he said. "The Czechs said we were tactically naive. Maybe you should ask them what they think now."