The rather short history of their previous encounters would suggest otherwise but Ghana coach Ratomir Dujkovic insists that his players have no reason to fear Brazil with the Serb insisting that he has always believed his World Cup debutants could make to the semi-finals here in Germany.
The two sides have met just once before and that was a decade ago but the Brazilians, world champions then as they are now, won the friendly 8-2 with what was a very young side that included current goalkeeper Dida. A lot has changed in the intervening years with Dujkovic inheriting a side earlier this year that has become one of the most powerful in Africa. After impressive wins against the USA and, particularly, the Czech Republic they will be expected to present the South Americans with their toughest challenge of the tournament so far.
The Brazilian coach Carlos Alberto Parreira started his management career in Ghana where, he says, his offices consisted of little more than tents pitched alongside fairly rudimentary pitches. He is the first one to compliment the Ghanaians on their progress to this point and yet he will be keenly aware that his side, who have not so much as conceded a goal to an African side in four previous games at a World Cup tournament, will be under considerable pressure not only to win but to do it well.
The defending champions provided the first real indication that they are capable of producing their best form at this tournament in the second half of their win over Japan five days ago. They will now be aiming to pick up where they left off, albeit against somewhat sterner opposition.
They will have to do so, however, without Robinho who, having performed strongly against Japan pulled up in training on Sunday and has since been ruled out of this afternoon's game with a thigh strain.
His absence should pave the way for the return of Adriano in attack but Parreira insists that there is still the possibility that he will instead move Ronaldinho forward to partner Ronaldo and start with Lyon's Juninho in midfield.
The loss of Michael Essien to suspension is likely to prove a far greater blow to the Ghanaians who will have Sulley Muntari back after he served his one-match ban but could use the Chelsea player's forceful approach to patrolling midfield.
"Essien is the best player in his position in the world," said Dukovic, "but whatever replacement we put out they will be 80 per cent Essien.
"Even without him we can win," the coach continued. "With the spirit of the team I have always believed we could reach the semi-finals."
The only other doubt ahead of the game has been Habib Mohammed but the defender came through training yesterday without any problems and is not expected to be in from the start.
Although they have won the African Nations Cup four times and have often been compared to Brazil in the past, this may be a trip too far for the Black Stars.
Probable line-ups
Brazil (4-4-2)
Dida; Cafu, Lucio, Juan, Roberto Carlos; Gilberto Silva, Juninho Pernambucano, Kaka, Ronaldinho; Ronaldo, Adriano
Ghana (4-4-2)
Kingston; Paintsil, Mohammed, Mensah, Illiasu; Boateng, Appiah, Addo, Muntari; Amoah, Asamoah
Referee: Lubos Michel (Slovakia)
Kick-off: 4.0pm
Venue: Westfalenstadion, Dortmund
On TV: RTÉ 2 and UTV
