Ghana carrying African hopes at World Cup

RUSTENBURG, South Africa (AP):

Whether buoyed or burdened by carrying Africa's hopes at the World Cup, Ghana now finds their route to the quarter-finals blocked by a United States side out to avenge a contentious loss four years ago.

The Ghanaians reached the round of 16 at the 2006 World Cup - also as Africa's last remaining representative - courtesy of a penalty that still rankles with the Americans.

"An injustice," said defender Oguchi Onyewu, who was adjudged to have fouled Razak Pimpong while going for a header. "I still to this day don't know where the foul came from."

Ghana midfielder Stephen Appiah converted from the spot to clinch a 2-1 win and eliminate the Americans.

"That was not a good day - for me or the team," United States midfielder Landon Donovan said. "What I remember most personally was my tentativeness and the immediate feeling afterwards of the finality of it, and how disappointing that was."

Donovan helped to partially erase those painful memories with his injury-time winner against Algeria on Wednesday.

In the first Group C matches, the United States held England to a 1-1 draw and recovered from two goals down to draw 2-2 with Slovenia, and had a third goal disallowed in the final minutes.

The Americans must now win a second straight World Cup match for the first time since 1930 today to reach the quarter-finals, as they did in 2002.

80-year hex

The Americans have already broken one 80-year hex in South Africa - winning their group. And the 2009 Confederations Cup finalists are starting to imagine contesting a first World Cup final.

"If we continue to build on the successes so far, we can go to the end," United States coach Bob Bradley said yesterday at Royal Bafokeng Stadium, where the match will be played.

"We have shown an ability to move the ball quickly and intelligently. We have some individuals who have made the special plays you need to win championships."

Bradley, though, is wary of the athletic ability of Ghana, who were denied a fifth African title earlier this year by Egypt.

While the Americans hope each World Cup success will help to grow football's following back home as well as the team's, Ghana can expect to be backed by Africa's one billion inhabitants.

"Ghana have acquired a lot of new supporters not only in Africa," Ghana coach Milan Rajevac said through a translator. "I hope after this match, Ghana will have even more supporters worldwide, which is a great satisfaction for us."

Ghana are the continent's last remaining hope at the first World Cup to be staged in Africa, with the Ivory Coast yesterday following Cameroon, Nigeria, Algeria and host nation South Africa in going out of the tournament.

"We want to do it for Africa," Ghana midfielder Sulley Muntari said. "We want to break records."

Ghana, though, have only scored two goals in South Africa - both penalties by Gyan - in beating Serbia 1-0 and holding Australia to a 1-1 draw. Ghana advanced despite losing their last Group D match 1-0 to Germany.

"Over the last three matches we had a lot of chances and half chances, but this World Cup requires a lot of energy and force," Rajevac said. "The players don't have any more strength (after a long season). That is why we have missed so many opportunities.