Ghana make history


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Ghana have become only the third African team to reach the quarter finals of the World Cup. After 90 tense minutes, Asamoah Gyan scored the winner just minutes into extra-time after a Donovan penalty canceled out an early KP Boateng strike.

Both Ghanaians and Americans were on a mission: to reach the quarter finals of the 2010 World Cup in the name of a continent. With a potential Uruguay encounter at stake, the door to the last 4 was slightly open.

And the Black Stars took the first step just 5 minutes into the game thanks to a dashing run from Kevin Prince Boateng. The controversial Portsmouth midfielder darted forward almost unchallenged before drilling a low shot right on the edge of the area into the bottom corner past Tim Howard.

But the US are not one to let themselves go. They showed in the group stage an uncanny strength as they have been able to overcome, being a few goals down against both England (1-1) and Slovenia (2-2). It happened once more. Kingson showed why he is considered one of the best keepers in Africa by denying Findley (34′), Altidore (47′ et 81′), Bradley (76′), Feilhaber (97′) and Edu (98′).

And right on the hour mark, the Americans were given a lifeline when Jonathan Mensah brought down Dempsey and the referee pointed to the spot. Donavan stepped up and coolly slotted his penalty in off the post, sending Kingson the wrong way as USA restored parity.

Bob Bradley tried to spice things up by adding Edu and Feilhaber to add some strength and power to his midfield. The game was tense in what was an open, free-flowing contest.

As the game went on, the Black Stars suddenly looked out of steam and out of ideas as they pummelled multiple crosses into the box which was unable to be finished off.

Outplayed, the US finally let go in extra-time. 93rd minute: a long ball from the back from Andre Ayew sees Gyan battling with Carlos Bocanegra and despite a little push from the defender, he keeps his composure to smash a left-foot shot past Tim Howard from 16 yards.

Ghana beat the United States 2-1 in extra-time to make the World Cup quarter-finals for the first time in their history and ensure an African team will figure in the last eight of the competition.

2010 World Cup  South Africa's preparation to host the games on African soil for the first time but also individual African countries' determination to take part in the historic event. Five African countries - Cameroon, Nigeria, Algeria, South Africa and Ghana - are selected to join twenty seven teams from around the world to battle it out on the football pitch for the gold trophy. One by one, the African teams are eliminated, but Africans will not be bogged down as they rally behind their compatriots on the wings of the vuvuzela, a far cry from the near diplomatic row between Algeria and Egypt during the qualifiers. Ghana are the last team to leave but not before African unity becomes reality...
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