For Ghana, their selection into the United States’ group has caused quite a stir in the US, with many remembering the last two times these countries faced off.
It seems Ghana’s had the US’s number, winning both and causing Landon Donovan and company plenty of problems along the way.
However, in Ghana, the focus among the African nation is on a much bigger rivalry, and a much more personal one.
Schalke’s Kevin Prince-Boateng plays for Ghana, but his half-brother does not.
His sibling, Bayern Munich’s Jerome Boateng, plays for Germany. Beginning this year, the two face off in the German Bundesliga twice a season, but the duo have been drawn into the same World Cup group, raising the stakes.
And both players and country relish it. From older brother KPB:
Brother it's time again...that's how beautiful life is!! Can't wait...love u bro!!! @JB17Official pic.twitter.com/OGl457Y70a
— Kevin-Prince Fradegrada Boateng (@KPBofficial) December 6, 2013
Boateng says “again” because the two were drawn in the same group in the 2010 World Cup as well, with Germany winning a tight 1-0 match as the two countries both progressed from their groups.
Jerome added from his own Twitter account, “So happy that i can play again after the World Cup 2010 against my Brother Kevin and Ghana.” Jerome isn’t the only German excited to face KPB, as Per Mertesacker called the midfielder “extraordinary” in an interview with Die Welt and tagged him as the reason why the Germans struggled to beat Ghana four years prior.
Outside of the Boatengs, a familiar name has reared his head for USMNT fans to scoff at. Asamoah Gyan, the 28-year-old striker who four years ago cut down the United States in extra time, has assured his country they will make it out alive.
Speaking with Ghanan radio station Asempa FM Sports, Gyan said, “Ghana’s group is the toughest. It is the group of death. But we have a good team to compete with any team. There is no need to fear Germany or Portugal or even the USA. Ghanaians should relax, we’ll qualify from the group and make Ghana proud again.”
That’s some strong confidence from the team on the outside looking in as far as odds are concerned.