This time is not for Africa. The World Cup party is over for the continent after incredible drama at Soccer City on Friday night. The little white spot, 12 yards away from the goal-line, proved to be the graveyard for the aspirations of Ghana and Africa.
Ghana were a kick away from booking an historic semi-final ticket at the expense of Uruguay. With the scores tied at 1-1, Asamoah Gyan crashed his penalty against the crossbar in the last minute of extra-time. The referee blew the long whistle right after Gyan’s failed attempt.
Ghana, reeling from the psychological blow of a missed penalty, lost the subsequent shoot-out 2-4. Captain John Mensah and substitute Dominic Adiyiah had their weak shots saved. Uruguay converted four out of five.
The dream died a painful death and Ghana would have preferred a loss in open play. Penalties have this excruciating habit of inflicting a lasting wound on the mind of the losers. Gyan, who had scored twice from the spot in the group stage, needs time to get over his penalty misery. The Black Stars will have to live with a feeling of “what might have been” for a long time.
Soccer City’s 84,017 spectators witnessed a gripping climax to a match that was dreary for most parts. Uruguay forward Luis Suarez conceded a penalty in the dying seconds of extra-time by punching Ghana substitute Dominic Adiyiah’s goal-bound header away. Up stepped Gyan, only to rattle bar from the spot.
The first meeting of Ghana and Uruguay at the World Cup was a disappointment in open play. Ghana looked nervous throughout and their passing was erratic. Even though the South Americans weren’t far superior, their technical ability and robust defending stood out.
Suarez cut in from the left and drew a decent save from Richard Kingson in the early minutes. Ghana, playing 4-5-1, had Gyan isolated up front on many occasions. When the forward got his first chance he wasn’t up to it. He stabbed a superb square ball from Samuel Inkoom wide.
Sulley Muntari, who was on the verge of being sent home from South Africa for indiscipline, opened the scoring with a left-footed drive from 30 yards. The temperamental Inter midfielder got a starting place only because of the suspension of Andre Ayew. And the bad boy proved a point. The timing of his goal was critical as it came deep into first-half added time.
Diego Forlan made it one apiece 10 minutes after the break with a glorious freekick from the left edge of the box. His effort was so perfect in angle and velocity that the Ghanaian goalie was reduced to a mere spectator.
Uruguay should have grabbed the lead a few minutes later but Suarez wasn’t able to put the ball in from close range after Forlan had found him with a fine cross. But Uruguay managed to keep their unbeaten record against African teams at the World Cup intact on penalties.