Past Ghana successes against the United States has heightened the expectation ahead of Monday's World Cup opener.

Ghana, who have twice beaten the US can expect to come under pressure when the two sides meet in Natal in the Group G.

The game to be handled by Swede, Jonas Eriksson starts at the Estadio das Dunas in Natal at 22:00GMT.

Black Stars coach Kwesi Appiah insists his side are "looking forward" to their opener with a new generation of players, who have dominated his squad ready to meet the biggest challenges the tournament throws their way.

"We have prepared very well, we've not had many injuries, which has been good," Appiah said ahead of meeting Jurgen Klinsmann's side.

"And there's unity and discipline within the squad. The boys are totally focused and looking forward to tomorrow's game."

Ghana knocked the Americans out of the last two World Cups with 2-1 victories, beating the US in group stages in the 2006 tournament and in extra time during the round of 16 four years ago, setting the stage for the rivalry to continue in their third straight meeting.

''This is just an awesome moment, because that's the biggest stage you can have, where you kind of want to show that you improved, and nothing better than against the team that beat you the last two World Cups,'' Klinsmann said.

''So this, as we mentioned before, is like start the whole World Cup with a final.''

Though the fixture will be Ghana's 10th World Cup game and the 30th for the United States, it's the third meeting between both sides as anything short of the three points might be considered fatal in a tough group.