Ghana 2 USA 1: Ghana will carry African hopes into the second round of the World Cup after beating the United States 2-1 to ensure qualification from Group E behind Italy, who put two past a 10-man Czech Republic side.

A stoppage time penalty just before the break converted by captain Stephen Appiah secured the required three points after the United States' Clint Dempsey had cancelled out Ghana's opener from Haminu Dramani.

The US struck the post midway through the second half, but otherwise, with a lone striker for much of the match, caused the Ghanaian defence few problems.

The Africans, who lost 2-0 to Italy in their first match, finished second in Group E and are likely to play Group F leaders Brazil for a place in the quarter-finals.

Italy topped the group after beating the Czech Republic 2-0 in Hamburg.

Ghana will have to face the defending world champions without midfield inspiration Michael Essien after his crunching tackle on Claudio Reyna in the first half brought his second consecutive yellow card of the tournament.

Ghana were the more combative for most of the match, although they struggled to find their rhythm early on against a United States team missing key centre back, Eddie Pope, and holding midfielder Pablo Mastroeni through suspension.

They also lost captain Reyna towards the end of the first half.

Ghana took the lead in the 22nd minute when midfielder Haminu Draman dispossessed Reyna and strode into the penalty area to curl the ball past a diving Kasey Keller. Reyna appeared to pick up a leg injury in the process.

Midfielder Dempsey fired the US back on level terms two minutes from the break after DaMarcus Beasley cracked in a low cross from the left following a defensive mix-up among three Ghanaians.

But within four minutes Appiah had cracked the spot kick into the top left corner after Razak Pimpong had been pushed in the area.

US coach Bruce Arena threw on forward Eddie Johnson to join striker Brian McBride for the last half hour, a move that kick-started a series of US assaults on the Ghanaian goal.

McBride struck the post in the 66th minute with a header from an Eddie Lewis cross.

Oguchi Onyewu rose above the Ghanaian defence from a corner only a minute later, but his header passed just above the crossbar and with it went US hopes of a dramatic progression into the knock-out stages.

Ghana coach Ratomir Dujkovic said after the match that his side are not afraid of champions Brazil, their probable opponent, who face Japan in their final group game this evening.

"I have said our target is the semi-final," he told reporters. "Any team that faces the Black Stars will have to suffer just like (our group rivals) Italy, the Czechs and the United States.

"Yes, they (Brazil) will suffer. They are the best team in the world and for us it is an honour to play them.

"Black Stars have enough capabilities, we are not afraid."