Andre proud of World Cup form

One of the star performers of Ghana's World Cup campaign, Andre Ayew says he is proud with his displays in South Africa.

The 20-year old picked up the Man of the Match prize in the Black Stars' 2-1 win over the United States in the round of 16 clash after an impressive run of form.

Despite his failure to play in the quarter final match for been suspended against Uruguay due to his accumulation of two yellow cards, the youngster says he's left the tournament with "good and bad memories" but insists the players who represented their country have done themselves proud.

"I am leaving with good and bad memories because we did something great for Ghana but we could have done something even bigger for the continent," he told KickOffGhana.com.

"Overall though I am proud of what we have done. In the end luck was not on our side but we can all hold our head high."

Andre, son of Ghana legend Abedi Pele has witnessed a tremendous rise in stature since an unimpressive start for the Black Stars at the 2008 Nations Cup, then as 17 year-old.

But he's finally living up to his potential after leading Ghana to victory at the Under-20 World Cup and also playing a key role in the 2010 Nations Cup, where the Black Stars finished as runners-up.

"I needed to confirm that after a good tournament in Angola and a good Under-20 World Cup so I needed to confirm that I am good enough for the international stage.

"Personally it’s been a good tournament for me and I hope that I am progressing. I am just 20 and need to continue working hard".

Source: Ghanafa.org

Black Stars enjoy audience with Nelson Mandela

Sulley and Mandela

Former South Africa President Nelson Mandela has entertained the Ghana team in his Johannesburg home the day after their dramatic 2010 FIFA World Cup™ quarter-final defeat against Uruguay.

The meeting followed an earlier one with Winnie Madikizela-Mandela and other members of the family at her Soweto house. Sowetans greeted the players with applause and cheers as they got off their bus, which bore a sign reading, “The Hope of Africa.”

Mr Mandela had sent a letter on Friday wishing the squad well for their match against Uruguay last night. The Ghanaian squad had earlier expressed the wish to visit the family to pass on their respects after the tragic passing of Madiba’s great grand-daughter, Zenani, on 11 July.

The Nelson Mandela Foundation commended the Ghana team after the visit. “They represented the continent well,” it said. “They can return home with their heads held high.”

Though suffering the pain of a penalty shoot-out defeat, the Black Stars’ run to the last eight captured the hearts of the African people in the first tournament to be held on the continent.

Source: FIFA.COM

Germans thump Argentina in quarters

Germany are through to the World Cup semifinals after a comprehensive 4-0 win over Argentina at the Cape Town Stadium on Saturday afternoon. 

Thomas Mueller, Arne Friedrich and two from Miroslav Klose scored as Diego Maradona’s dream run at the finals came to an inglorious end.

Germany started like a team with something to prove and took the lead after just three minutes through Mueller. Lukas Podolski won a free-kick on the left which Bastian Sweinsteiger swung in, and the Bayern Munich striker got in front of his marker to head home.

Twenty minutes later and it should have been 2-0. A defensive slip by Martin Demichelis allowed Mueller a run in on goal. Instead of taking a shot, he squared to Klose, who uncharacteristically blasted over from 12 yards out.

Germany were controlling the play, and it took Argentina all of 33 minutes to get their first shot on target as Di Maria found space on the right and then cut inside a defender, but his shot was tame and straight at goalkeeper Manuel Nauer.

Gonzalo Higuain, who had hardly touched the ball up until that point, then found some space on the edge of the area, beat a defender and fired in a shot, but the goalie got down well to save. Argentina did have the ball in the back of the net through Di Maria on 38 minutes, but the effort was rightfully ruled offside.

Podolski and Muller had more chances for the Germans just before the break, while Lionel Messi summed up his afternoon by firing well over on the stroke of halftime.

Whatever Maradona’s teamtalk was, it seemed to do the trick as Argentina came out firing after the break.

Di Maria bent one just wide, before Carlos Tevez and Higuain both fired straight at Nauer. Argentina were dominating at this stage, but on 68 minutes, and against the run of play, Germany added a second.

The ball fell to Mueller just outside the area, and his run and cutback found Klose, who made no mistake this time around, tapping in from two yards out.

Six minutes later and the game was dome and dusted. The brilliant Sweinsteiger looked like he had nowhere to go when the ball was played to him on the edge of the area, but his mazy run beat three defenders before cutting back for Friedrich to tap in.

Argentina kept trying, but were unable to create and clearcut chances as the world’s best player, Messi, finished the tournament without a goal to his name.

Insult was then added to injury as Klose got his second on the stroke of fulltime, volleying home from Mesut Oezil’s pinpoint cross.

Source: Kickoff.com

Rajevac – I Wanted To Change Kingson Before The Penalty Shoot-Out

Ghana head coach Milovan Rajevac has revealed he thought of taking off Richard Kingson before the penalty shoot-out against Uruguay on Friday night. 

The West Africans were knocked out in the quarterfinals after losing 4-2 on penalties to Uruguay at the Soccer City Stadium after playing to a 1-1 draw in regulation time.

Stephen Ahorlu warmed up briefly during extra time and some Ghanaian journalists explained to KickOff.com that he could have fared better in the shoot-out than Kingson.

"Everything happened so fast. I thought about changing the goalkeeper but I didn't. I was thinking of someone who could do well for us in the penalty shoot-out," Rajevac revealed.

Despite the loss, Rajevac had nothing but praise for his boys. The Black Stars were the youngest team in this tournament, with eleven Under-23 players and Rajevac says the future looks bright for Ghana.

"I'm very proud we managed to get this far. We didn't deserve to lose. It is very difficult for me to talk about this, because we lost. But we are proud of what we achieved. This team has a great future," he said.

"I think we had more opportunities than our opponents. We also had big support from all of Africa and this could have been a fairytale if we won this game," Rajevac continued.

Rajevac admitted the Uruguayans were mentally tougher than his players in the shoot-out. "I think the opponents had the psychological advantage. They were calmer than we were," he said.

Source: Kickoff.com

Gyan rues unlucky night as Stars hand support

Asamoah Gyan is had a fantastic World Cup but his miss from the spot in the final second of extra time against Uruguay could be the talking point as Ghana exited from the competition via the penalty lottery.

The striker, so often the hero for the Black Stars could not hold back his tears with the South American side going on to win the dramatic game 4-2 on penalties after a 1-1 deadlock scoreline over 120 minutes Friday night.

In the very last minute of extra time, Dominic Adiyiah headed what should have been the winner for Ghana but Suarez blocked with his hands as Portuguese referee Olegario Benquerenca awarded a penalty.

Asamoah Gyan stepped up to take the shot but saw his last kick of the game go off the crossbar as the tie went into the penalty shootout which the South American nation won.

“I’ve nothing to say, you know? It’s part of the game,” Gyan said.

And in his opinion, Adiyiah’s header should have been given.

“The ball went in, it did cross the line, and the referee disallowed it,” he said. “If it was our day, the referee would have seen it and whistled as a goal. Everything is hard luck.”

Gyan, who scored three goals in the competition and picked up two Man of the Match prizes has received the backing of John Paintsil and goalkeeper Richard Kingson as both mates cheer on the striker and insist no blame laid at the doorstep of their leading scorer. 

“We have been talking to him about it. Obviously he is feeling very bad and it is not easy to forget it,” Paintsil said.

“As a team mate, we have to keep him with us, talk to him about it so that he can forget it as soon as possible.

“It is penalty, anyone can miss it. It is part of football. It is not a mistake, it is not a mistake at all. He kicked it from his heart. We all wanted to win the game but, yeah, we will pick it from there.”

For Kingson, he doesn’t expect Gyan to take any flak for the miss.

“No, there will be nothing like that,” Kingson said. “I had a message from my wife. She said everybody is happy now. We did our best and everybody is cheering him.”

Source: Ghanafa.org