By Hakeem Babalola
Though beaten by a lone goal by Germany in their final group stage match, Ghana has progressed to the last sixteen in the ongoing world cup in South Africa.
The Black Stars which featured mostly young stars, won one match, drew one and lost one. Their first match against Serbia in which the enterprising young stars won by a lone goal eventually the decider for their qualification.
The second match against Australia ended 1-1 which together left them with four points with two goals in favor and two goals against. This gave them the advantage over Australia who also has four points, but with three goals in favor and six against. Serbia, which earlier defeated Germany by 1-0, is in the fourth position.
With this qualification, Ghana is the only African team that makes it to the next stage to face United States of America which top group C on Saturday 26 June.
Although the host nation, South Africa, defeated France by two goals to one, it was not enough to see the Bafana Bafana youngsters through to the second phase, having lost to Mexico and drew their first match against Uruguay
Cameroon, the first team in the tournament to be eliminated, performed below expectation, losing all three matches in group E.
Nigeria also performed woefully as the Super Eagles lost two matches and drew one in group B. So is Algeria which collected one point in group C.
Ivory Coast's four points in group G is not enough to see the Drogba led team to the next stage having lost to Brazil, beat North Korea 3-0 and drew with Portugal which has the highest number of goals by defeating North Korea 7-0.
