Serbia midfielder Zdravko Kuzmanovic inexplicably waved his arm to handle a cross and give Ghana a penalty with seven minutes remaining.

Ghana's sole striker Gyan stepped up to convert the spot kick as the Black Stars, who made their World Cup debut in 2006 in Germany and were eliminated from the first knockout phase, opened their campaign with a precious win.

The Stade Rennes frontman could have scored his second of the night in stoppage time but was unlucky to see his superb curling shot strike the post.

Serbia paid for the dismissal of defender Aleksandar Lukovic in the 75th minute for a second bookable offense.

Ghana became the first African team to claim all three points after some disappointing displays from the Dark Continent's representatives.

Hosts South Africa settled for a goalless draw with Mexico, Nigeria slumped to a 1-0 loss to Argentina and Algeria were handed a 1-0 defeat by minnows Slovenia.

Three-time world champions Germany take on Australia in the other Group D game later in the day.

Ghana's defensive prowess saw them reach the African Cup of Nations final in January and it heavily benefited them against Serbia.

Central defensive pair Isaac Vorsah and John Mensah had a night to remember, restricting Serbia to some tame efforts in the first half.

Ghana struggled to feed Gyan in the first half but produced a much improved display after the interval, thanks to some neat passes and courageous shots from attacking midfielder Andre Ayew.

Gyan came close to breaking the deadlock on the hour mark when he towered to head John Paintsil's throw-in goalwards but his effort was denied by the post.

Serbia wasted a golden goalscoring opportunity when Milos krasic was found unmarked inside the area to fire a powerful shot that was tipped over by Ghana keeper Richard Kingson.

Ghana capitalized on their numerical advantage in the latter stages to convert the decisive penalty that gave them a valuable victory.