Football news - Ghana could face tough challenge in Uruguay game

After scoring five goals in two World Cup appearances, Ghana may be hoping to reach the round of 16 with a little less drama today against Uruguay , but their opponents must win to avoid a humiliating early exit.

A draw for the tournament's bottom-ranked side would be enough for Ghana to join Portugal in the knockout stages, while a point could put West Africa in trouble again in today's two-match final , all four teams in Group H have the opportunity to participate in qualifying.

Perennial wild card Uruguay will have to win at Al Wakrah and need to energize their big-name striker and shake off some dire form where they were dominated by South Korea and beaten by Portugal.

With veteran strikers Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani and talented newcomer Darwin Nunes both struggling in their opening games, coach Diego Alonso must choose whether to keep his faith in them or let Facundoppe Listeri and Maxi Gomez started and they gave Uruguay a brief moment of excitement.

Do everything possible to stop Uruguay

If Ghana participates in the draw, they will bet on already-qualified Portugal to beat South Korea, a team known for their fighting spirit, as evidenced when they trailed two goals against Ghana on Monday and lost 3-2 .

For the Black Stars, a win could avenge Uruguay's disastrous defeat in the 2010 World Cup quarter-finals when Suarez blocked Ghana's extra-time winner, who missed out on the 2010 World Cup. This resulted in a penalty and lost the ensuing shootout on penalties.

Head coach Oto Addo said he would not have thought of that and knew his side would need to do everything they could to stop Uruguay, who are in their 14th World Cup and have reached the last 16 in their last three games .