Ghana, ‘the pride of Africa’

SOUTH Africa yesterday rejoiced in Ghana’s win over USA, making them only the third African side to reach a Fifa World Cup quarterfinal and the continent’s only team left in the tournament.

‘Black Stars flying high’, The Sunday Times proclaimed over a picture of defender John Pantsil racing with Ghana’s national flag after their 2-1 win. ‘Ghana shatter American dream’, said The Sunday Independent, hailing the team for bringing Africa into the last eight of the first tournament held on the continent’s soil. ‘Even with the burden of carrying an entire continent, Ghana could not fail here last night,’ the paper said. ‘Throughout Africa, from Phokeng to Accra, celebrations reverberated from the final whistle and long into the evening.’Just moments after the game, ANC, hailed the victory clearly relieved to see an African team progress after the hosts crashed out in the group stages. Ghana will meet two time world champions Uruguay at Soccer City on Friday night for a place in the semi-finals of the world showpiece.’The ANC would like to thank the Ghana national soccer team (the Black Stars) for salvaging the image of the continent in this tournament,’ the party said in a statement. ‘We are very confident that having gone this far, you are indeed heading for the 2010 Fifa World Cup finals on our soil. We are very proud of you, as South Africa and as part of the continent of Africa, you are our pride.’Ghana’s budding star Andre Ayew, who was named Man of the Match, said after the heart stopping classic cup-tie played in front of 35 000 fans at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium on Saturday night: ‘We did it for Africa. We knew we had the whole continent behind us and we did not want to disappoint.’Midfielder Kevin-Prince Boateng gave Ghana a fifth-minute lead with centre-forward Asamoah Gyan hitting a stunning winner three minutes into extra-time. – Nampa-AFP