20100627
allafrica

With the five other African representatives - South Africa, Ivory Coast, Nigeria, Cameroun and Algeria - already eliminated in the first round, Ghana has been adopted by the entire continent to carry her banner at the on-going World Cup in South Africa. There were celebrations across the continent from Lagos to Nairobi and from Accra to Cairo as the Black Stars sent the USA packing.

Ghana yesterday reciprocated the support of the rest of Africa by beating the Americans 2-1 to book a record equalling place in the quarter finals of the competition. Striker Asamoah Gyan rifled in the winner early in the first half of extra-time, in spite of the presence of former USA president Bill Clinton who was sitting next to Rolling Stone Mick Jagger to cheer the Americans to victory.

The game was locked at 1-1 after 90 minutes when a Landon Donovan penalty cancelled out Kevin-Prince Boateng's opening goal. It was the second time in successive World Cups that Ghana had defeated the United States, having effectively dumped them out of the tournament four years ago by beating them in the final group game.

Gyan's goal, after 93 minutes, was worthy of winning any game after he outmuscled USA captain Carlos Bocanegra to blast his shot past goalkeeper Tim Howard thus ensuring that the Black Stars went a step further than the last World Cup where they exited in the second round.

The victory over the US was just a reward for Ghana's talent and power in a dramatic encounter at the Royal Bafokeng stadium and the sole surviving African nation must now fancy their chances of creating an even bigger ripple at this tournament, with Uruguay awaiting them in the last-eight.

Ghana would now attempt to go one step further by getting to the semi-finals, a feat previously unattained by any African country.