Ghana Lift A Continent

When Michael Essien failed to recover from injury in time for the World Cup, many Ghana World Cup betting experts thought they would struggle to make much impact in South Africa this summer.

Going into the quarter finals, Ghana are the last remaining African side in the competition. They looked impressive during the group stage, beating Serbia and drawing with Australia before narrowly losing to Germany. It took extra time for Ghana to overcome the USA in the second round, Asamoah Gyan scored his third goal at these finals, with a brilliantly taken goal, to send the African’s through to a quarter-final match against Uruguay.

Without Essien, Sulley Muntari was expected to be Ghana’s key player, after a reported bust-up with Coach Milovan Rajevac, Muntari has spent much of his time on the bench.

Portsmouth midfielder, Kevin Prince Boateng has stepped up and performed impressively in the middle of the park. Boateng only gained clearance to play for Ghana just before the tournament, after representing Germany at youth and under 21 levels.

He got his team’s opening goal against the USA with a cool finish. Striker Gyan has been dangerous up front, his pace and strength has troubled opposition defences. With three goals already to his name, he will be looking to add to that tally in a match where Uruguay World Cup odds suggest they are slight favourites.

With Nigeria, Ivory Coast, Cameroon and Algeria all failing to qualify from the group stage, it has been left to Ghana to fly the African flag. It has been a disappointing return from the African teams, more was expected from the host continent in their first African World Cup. Their hopes of success now lie with The Black Stars.