A tough disciplinary code which almost cost star midfielder Sulley Muntari his World Cup spot is one of the key reasons Ghana is Africa's sole representative in the knockout rounds of the tournament, the country's top football official says.

Muntari reportedly abused Ghana's coach after a group stage draw with Australia and was benched until the closing minutes of the extra-time, 2-1 second-round win over the United States which secured the Black Stars' place in the quarter-finals.

And not only is Muntari on his last warning, the Inter Milan midfielder's place in the starting lineup for Friday's quarterfinal against Uruguay is in jeopardy because of how well the team performed without him for much of the match against the Americans.

While Ghana reached the quarterfinals, the continent's five other World Cup representatives - including host South Africa - exited at the group stage.

Some blamed too much individualism, some blamed less focus on team discipline for the failures of the other teams.

But Ghana will accept no disorder within its squad, Ghana Football Association president Kwesi Nyantakyi said Sunday, even if the chief culprit so far is a star such as Muntari, who has won a Champions League title.

Nyantakyi said adopting such a firm approach with Muntari was a sign of growing professionalism in both the national team and domestic competition setups - and a lesson for the team.

"Having discipline dovetails into the performance of the team," Nyantakyi told The Associated Press. "There is discipline. We have a code of conduct for players: they have to wake up at this time; they have to train at this time. So many rules and regulations.

"Muntari wasn't left out, he was reprimanded and if he misbehaves again he will be thrown out."

Nyantakyi said the one set of rules apply to everyone in the squad.

"Even though (Muntari) didn't leave the camp he is reformed now and others know not to commit the same offense," Nyantakyi said. "So we have achieved our objective."

Coach Milan Rajevac told the AP through a translator that Muntari wasn't an automatic inclusion for the quarterfinal because, "usually you don't change a winning team."

There will be enforced changes for Ghana, however, with midfielder Andre Ayew and defender Jonathan Mensah both suspended. Kevin-Prince Boateng, who scored Ghana's first goal, requires treatment for an injured right hamstring.

"We are praying he will be available for the next match," Rajevac said of Boateng. "He had a slight injury against Germany and in yesterday's match it got worse.

"In the first half he was outstanding really and in the second half he experienced problems. The medical team have a lot of work to do and will see what will happen in the next few days."

For now, though, it is a time for the Ghana players to saviour the joy they have brought to a continent still awaiting its first World Cup winner. The win over the United States sparked celebrations across Africa on Saturday night.

The Black Stars already know how to win continental titles - they have won four African Cup of Nations - and international trophies, with the Under-20 side producing Africa's first World Cup triumph at that level last year.

"We have been shocking the world in the last two years," Rajevac said. "The under-20 team has won the World Cup which was a fantastic result for Ghana and the players learned how to compete."

As did reaching another African final in January, which it lost 1-0 to Egypt.

"We had eight players missing in Angola but that tournament helped me build the team for the World Cup," Rajevac said. "It taught us how to compete at this level."

US coach Bob Bradley says Ghana is a growing force.

"With Ghana, like so many of the teams in Africa, there's tremendous talent," Bradley said a day after Ghana eliminated his squad from the World Cup for the second straight time.

"So many of these players have gone to Europe at young ages and have been successful.

"As the last team from Africa still in this World Cup, Ghana has a lot to be proud of. I think the team is well coached ... and the athletic talent of their team can give anybody a good run."

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