Ghana remain on course for a third FIFA Under-17 World Championship title, and a fifth successive appearance in the final, as they prepare to meet Uruguay in Saturday's quarter-final.

The African champions have shown emphatic form in winning their opening round group at the tournament in New Zealand, scoring an average of four goals per game in their matches at Napier.

Winners in Italy in 1989 and Ecuador four years ago, Ghana are a renowned world power in junior football.

For Jones Attequayfio, the burden of expectation back in west Africa is difficult to deal with as supporters back in Ghana are demanding the side return home with the trophy.

"It's difficult for us with the pressure but obviously we want to please everyone in Ghana," he says. So far, the side have done exactly that but will find Uruguay determined opposition.

Saturday's other quarter-final match is a local derby with The Football Confederation members Mexico and the United States squaring up in Auckland.

Mexico showed great courage to overcome heavily fancied Spain in their previous match while the never-say-die attitude of the American youngsters saw them win top place in group A with an injury time goal against Uruguay.

On Sunday, defending champions Brazil play Paraguay in Dunedin, a town that has adopted the boys from Asunción and where much local support is expected to cheer them on against the Brazilians.

Local high school boys will perform the traditional Maori "haka" in support of Paraguay from the stands.

Australia and Qatar meet in Christchurch in the other quarter-final game scheduled for Sunday.