Lyon defender John Mensah has warned his Ghana team-mates that the advantage of playing on African soil at the World Cup will only count for so much.

The Black Stars open their campaign against Serbia on Sunday with Mensah hoping the side can overcome the loss of key midfielder Michael Essien and qualify from Group D, which also contains Australia and Germany.

Mensah, who spent an injury-ravaged loan spell at Sunderland last season, insists Ghana must determine their own fate in South Africa.