Making their first appearance in a World Cup tournament, Ghana will travel to Germany fresh off a successful and impressive qualifying stage.

The youthful team, that includes 14 players born after 1980, surged through the qualifying rounds, capping their success with a 7-0 aggregate victory over Somalia to clinch a World Cup birth.

Previous victories over South Africa, Cape Verde Islands and Uganda helped bring the underrated team into Germany.

Though the majority of head coach Ratomir Dujkovic's roster is made up of a younger generation of players, the team does still rely on veteran talents. Midfielder Michael Essien, among others has become a valuable asset to the young club. Essien, who spends much of his time in England's Premiership with league champion Chelsea, will lead the middle line throughout the tournament.

Known as the most expensive player in African history, Essien's skill and experience will no doubt help the team to adjust to many of their Group E opponents. Along with captain Stephen Appiah, Ghana offers the rest of the world a strong midfield.

The club's front line will rely on the talents of Asamoah Gyan and Matthew Amoah.

In other international tournaments, Ghana has faired well, winning the CAF African Cup of Nations title four times.

Drawn into Group E, Ghana has a difficult road through the tournament's group stages. The team opens the tournament against Italy, considered one of the world's best and most successful teams. Along with the United States and the Czech Republic, Ghana will have to battle in order to get into the tournament's next round.

Achievements:

-- Four-time African Cup of Nations winners