There was joy and excitement back in January when the North Eastern coastal city of Maceio was confirmed as the base for Team Ghana. With just hours remaining before the West Africans touch down in Brazil, the level of excitement and anticipation has reached it's peak.

10,000 tickets have been distributed by the Mayor's office for the training sessions of the team before they leave for Natal. These were snapped up within 24 hours so the deep interest and hunger to see the Black Stars has not been exaggerated.

Team Ghana completed their US tour with a 4-0 win over South Korea in Miami after losing their first training match 1-0 to Holland. The Black Stars took off from Washington early Wednesday morning en-route their Maceio base via Salvador.

Locals and city authorities have been working round the clock for their adopted team Ghana. Ofcourse there is no disputing that Brazil comes first but after them, its definitely the Ghanaians that folks here are rooting behind.

The Manager of the plush Radisson Hotel where the team will be staying has even gone as far as to say that ''...his boys'' (Ghana) will feel at home and would not want to leave the hotel or the city in a hurry because they will reach the final in Rio.

Fabio Gazuo may be excused for such optimism or call it natural PR; since his hotel will be a hub of attention once the Black Stars take up residency.

However, he is not the only citizen with boosted confidence on the chances of the team. The Alagoas region's Secretary of State Dr Alvaro Antonio Machado is under no illusions at all about Ghana's chances.

''We were very upset when Uruguay eliminated Ghana in 2010 because Ghana played a good game and who knows maybe could have reached the final if they had won. I think they will be even stronger now so do not be surprised to see a Ghana Brazil final, why not''

The only concern that has been raised by fitness experts and football analysts here in Brazil is whether or not the ''time trip'' or better known as jet- lag, would take a negative toll on the team who play the USA on Monday.

Another flight awaits the contingent at the weekend when they set off to another coastal resort Natal where the USA have already sent their advanced party of 75 officials and security staff.

Ghana's media front is already well represented on the ground in Maceio including Ernest Koranteng of Metro TV, Godfred Akoto of Allsports as well as a reporter each from Ghanatobrazil2014.com, TV3 Fans Diaries, Viasat1 and One Ghana.