Bring on Brazil say Ghana, the pride of Africa

WUERZBURG, Germany, June 23 (Reuters) Ghana players said today they were under no pressure in their World Cup last 16 showdown with champions Brazil next Tuesday and were already delighted to have put their country on the sporting map.

''I think it is a dream come true to play against Brazil in the World Cup,'' midfielder Derek Boateng told reporters after a training session at their World Cup base at Wuerzburg.

''We can't ask for anything more than that. We are very happy to show the world where Ghana is.'' The 23-year-old said his team were under no illusions as to how difficult it would be to beat Brazil but said they would just try to make their country proud.

''We are not going to say that we are going to beat them,'' he said. ''We are just going to give a good performance. It's very important for us and the whole of Africa.

''And we have the confidence and the energy to do it.'' GREAT PRIDE Ghana are only the fifth African team to advance from the group stage of a World Cup following Morocco, Cameroon, Nigeria and Senegal and the West African nation's achievement was all the more impressive coming from such a tricky group.

They opened their campaign with a 2-0 loss to Italy despite dominating for long periods and swept past the highly-rated Czech Republic 2-0 before beating the US 2-1 yesterday.

''I am very proud because this is glory for all of us,'' Ghana's Serbian coach Ratomir Dujkovic said. ''This is my first World Cup but I came with this excellent team.

''We are representing Africa now and everybody is happy because of that but unfortunately we have to face Brazil.

''But ... Ghana Black Stars are very strong. I am confident, we are the Brazil from Africa.'' Despite the euphoria surrounding the team, there was one note of disappointment as influential midfielder Michael Essien will miss the game through suspension.

Essien's vision, passing and relentless running combined with the commitment of his midfield partner and captain Stephen Appiah has been crucial to Ghana's success and Dujkovic said it would be hard to find a replacement.

Essien told Reuters after the game he was very disappointed with his second yellow card of the tournament.

''I have to forget about it,'' he said. ''I'm going to miss the match against Brazil but there's nothing I can do. I'm happy for the nation but I'm very sad over this yellow card.'' REUTERS DH KP1908