Ghana's President John Dramani Mahama is expecting a lot from the Black Stars

ACCRA, Ghana (AP) -- Ghana President John Dramani Mahama says the country expects its soccer players to give everything and ''die a little'' for the team at the World Cup.

Ghana's President John Dramani Mahama is expecting a lot from the Black Stars

Mahama asked for the commitment at a farewell dinner for the squad on Thursday.

Ghana, which reached the World Cup quarterfinals in 2010, plays the United States, Germany and Portugal in Group G in Brazil.

Mahama says ''we expect you to die a little for your country. ... We respect our opponents but we don't fear them.''

The team leaves Ghana on Saturday to play warm-up matches in Europe and the U.S.

Ghana's first match in Brazil is against the Americans on June 16 in Natal.