Ghana is doing its last-minute homework on its U.S. opponents before Thursday's Group E match from which both teams could advance to the second round.

A win for Ghana and it is in the round of 16.

"We have to watch tapes of the last United States matches, make our analysis, talk to scouts, develop our strategy, and practice it for the coming match," Black Stars coach Ratomir Dujkovic said.

All teams in Group E are still alive after Ghana stunned the Czech Republic 2-0 last Saturday and the United States tied Italy 1-1.

"All our focus is on the next match. We must leave the Czech Republic behind us," Dujkovic said.

"We won 2-0 and I'm satisfied. Our players made a great effort to score more goals. But many things influence that last shot."

Including being undermanned. Ghana will be without suspended Sulley Muntari and Asamoah Gyan, the scorers against the Czechs.

That means the Americans, who also will miss two starters, Eddie Pope and Pablo Mastroeni -- can keep a close watch on standout midfielder Michael Essien.

A request to FIFA to lift the suspension on Gyan was turned down.

Gyan took a penalty kick before the referee blew his whistle in the Czech game and was cautioned, even though he said he heard a whistle blow, possibly from the stands.

Dujkovic is keeping his tactics close to his chest as he prepares for another Ghana victory.

"I cannot talk publicly about strategy," Dujkovic said.

"We won't play for a draw. We don't want to rely on the results from the Czechs and Italy. ... We always play offensive football and we'll play to win."