Rashid Bawa, a former Minister for Youth and Sports, says Ghana faces her toughest World Cup yet when the globe gathers in Brazil for the quadrennial finals next month.

Ghana, Africa’s best performers at the World Cup in recent times, begin her campaign against the United States in Natal on June 16, before wrapping up Group G with games against Germany and Portugal.

Bawa told GNA Sports, “I believe this World Cup will be Ghana’s toughest test at that level ever. Many teams must have figured us out by now because of our last two performances in Germany and South Africa.

“As debutants, not many expected us to do that well in Germany, and it was that obvious that we took the world by storm. Our performance in South Africa four years on was a remarkable improvement of the years earlier.

“For that reason, I think all the teams the Black Stars will meet will prepare extra well for us considering the growing strength of the team.”

The Stars, considered the continent’s best ambassadors at the Brazil event, Ghana’s third in succession, have set their sight on a place in the last four.

Bawa said, "I have had the privilege of learning about the team’s preparation plans and I am convinced they have what it takes to do well in Brazil regardless. We have the personal and technical direction to excel".

Ghana reached the second round as debutants in Germany 2006 before travelling to the quarters at the last finals in South Africa.