When the Black Stars get off their team bus at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium on Saturday to play Australia, they would be reminded about how far they come at the World Cup stage.

Four years ago, Ghana, making their World Cup debut did not allow an opening loss to condemn their hopes of a successful campaign, managing to win two straight games before exiting the competition in the second round after defeat to Brazil.

This time round, the Black Stars rather got off their campaign to a great start, beating Serbia 1-0 in Group D and readying for the crucial second game against Australia with a place in the last 16 in sight.

Aware of what a win would mean to their campaign at their second consecutive finals, striker Asamoah Gyan, who scored Ghana’s opening goal says the team has grown in stature amid the huge expectation.

"We are better in the world now, too," he explained as he recounted the events of four years ago.

"In 2006 we did quite well, we went to the next stage, but this time Ghanaians are expecting more from us. That is why we are also going like wounded lions. Like a wounded lion, you know? So I'm hoping we just qualify for the next stage and then we see what happens from there."

Gyan looks back at the game against Brazil at the last World Cup, which ended the Black Stars’ march towards the quarter-finals and says that defeat rather handed them some valuable lessons which would be crucial in South Africa.

"We learned a lot of things against Brazil," he said.

"I think this time we went in calm and relaxed because we had studied before, so we knew what we were going to do. I think there is a big difference in that we've gained a bit of experience in the World Cup."