Ghana captain Stephen Appiah and his best pal Michael Essien have been discussing past, current and future World Cups for the Black Stars with a writer from the Brazilian website Terra.com.
The pair answered questions for the Brazilian website together when Stephen came to London on his day off to see how Essien's rehabilitation was going and the interview was made available on both players' websites. Â Below is the interview:
Terra.com - Four years ago Ghana lost to Brazil. What did you learn from that World Cup?
SA- It gave us the international and tournament experience at the highest level that we had never had. Our group of players learnt to play as a team and one unit. It was a good experience for us.
ME- aside the football that tournament also brought us together as close friends and we are all still very close which will help us in the next World Cup.
Terra.com - Do you think Sulley Muntari shoud return to the team for the World Cup?
SA - Yes why not. He is one of our best players and if he is available and not injured then he should be there like all our best players.
ME- I agree totally with Stephen that Sulley should be there if he is not injured. He is a big game player who has played at the highest level in England and now in Italy. We need to make sure we give ourselves the best chance of doing well and taking our best players is the start.
Terra.com - What we can expect from Kwadwo Asamoah and Dominic Adiyiah? Can they drive Ghana to the 2014 World Cup in Brazil?
SA- They are both young and talented players who will do well for Ghana at this World cup and 2014 World Cup. They have to keep learning the game and improving and I have no doubt if they do that then they can take us to the 2014 World Cup.
Watch the best of Ghana captain Stephen Appiah
[media id=53]
ME - A lot of young players have showed glimpses of their talent but haven't delivered because they failed to work hard or got carried away. As long as Kwadwo and Dominic stay focused they will definitely make Ghana proud during their careers. They are very good players.
Terra.com - Brazil always have trouble against Ghana in the Youth World Cups. How come this is not translated when they reach the senior level?
SA - It difficult to say why we can compete and win at junior levels and not do the same at senior level. I guess not many in our junior teams go on to make it at senior level so it is a different team at the senior level. Also more Brazilians play in bigger leagues than Ghanaian players which always helps the national team
ME - If you look at our successful junior teams over the years only a maximum of 2 or 3 players go on to play at a very high level whereas Brazil tend to have more players going on from the junior teams to form the senior national team and that makes a big difference in my view.
Terra.com - What did the African Nations Cup give Ghana in terms of experience to the team?
SA - The African cup has given the team some good experience in terms of playing together and some bonding time. It was good for unity, togetherness and has definitely toughened the team up. It was a good preparation for the World Cup.
Watch the best of Ghana midfielder Michael Essien
[media id=55]
ME - Apart from what Stephen has outlined, it also gave the coaching team a chance to assess the team as a whole and I am sure they now have a good idea of our strengths and weaknesses for all the different formations. It was definitely a good experience.
Terra.com - Do you think Group F is the hardest group from the World Cup?
SA - Group F is not the hardest group - definitely not. I think Group G with Brazil, Ivory Coast, Portugal and North korea is the most difficult.
ME - I agree and am glad we are not in group G. Having said that I think Ghana's group is the second most difficult group.