Ghana's Sulley Muntari finally gets World Cup start

Ghana midfielder Sulley Muntari will make his first start at this World Cup in their quarter-final against Uruguay at Soccer City on Friday.

Muntari, threatened with being sent home after a bust-up earlier in the tournament with coach Milovan Rajevac, replaces the suspended Dede Ayew.

Isaac Vorsah comes in for central defender Jonathan Mensah, also suspended, in the only other change from last weekend's second round win over the United States.

Vorsah missed the last three games through injury after being injured in the opening game against Serbia.

Muntari, one of Ghana's long-standing first-choice players, has been used only as a substitute in the last three matches and has not seen much playing time, his frustration evident in curt interviews with reporters this week.

Midfielder Kevin-Prince Boateng and left back Hans Sarpei retain their places after passing late fitness tests.

Uruguay coach Oscar Tabarez named his side on Wednesday with Mauricio Victorino replacing injured defender Diego Godin and, in a tactical switch, Alvaro Fernandez was chosen ahead of Alvaro Pereira in midfield.