Ghana Ratomir Dujković

in september 2004, portuguese-born mariano barreto quit ghana national football team manage cs marítimo in native country. long 3-month search replacement followed , included various candidates (philippe troussier among many others). late november, job offered dujković accepted in mid-december. took on helm of squad featuring greater depth of talent rwanda – not mention few established stars playing in top european clubs sammy kuffour, stephen appiah , michael essien. naturally, expectations sizable , entrusted task of qualifying 2006 world cup in germany. achieved it, leading side first ever fifa world cup appearance. same qualifying tournament qualification 2006 african cup of nations in egypt.

dujković faced lot of opposition throughout tenure in ghana. many wanted see domestic coach lead national team. calls sacking particularly intensified in january 2006 after indifferent display @ 2006 african cup of nations ghana got drawn in difficult group nigeria, senegal , zimbabwe.

after losing nigeria , defeating senegal, ghana faced deciding match against seeming minnows of group zimbabwe point failed collect single point first 2 matches. win assure progression ghana, lost 1-2 , failed move second round. on 12 june 2006 @ awd-arena in hanover, dujković led ghana in first ever world cup match. unfortunately, ended unhappily team italy beat them 2-0.

the black stars went next match versus czech republic knowing loss mean elimination. in entertaining match, ghana managed famous 2-0 win despite missing several clear-cut scoring chances failing convert penalty shot. third game pitted dujković s team against united states , delivered once more, beating americans 2-1 , qualifying round of 16 brazil awaited.

although powerhouse brazil seemingly dispatched of them (3-0), ghana put in feisty display. match contained controversy too, crucial second brazilian goal right before halftime came offside not given. dujković took protest referee Ľuboš micheľ , reportedly told him sarcastically should put on brazilian jersey. micheľ responded issuing red card, meaning dujković not on sideline remainder of game. though contract ghana had him committed until december 2006, dujković resigned post on 16 july 2006 citing health problems. dujković heavily criticised ghanaian media, believed had ulterior motives resigning before expiration of contract. dujković in turn, blamed media putting unmerited stress , pressure on him, move didn t go down ghanaian public. not long after left ghanaian team, reported had signed china coach chinese olympic soccer team.