2010 World Cup quarter-final preview: Uruguay v Ghana
It’s now 60 years since a team from South America that wasn’t Brazil or Argentina lifted the World Cup. And as for an African nation, well, they’ve never even come remotely close.
Yet, here at the first World Cup finals hosted on African soil, Uruguay have a superb chance of reaching the semi-finals for the first time since 1970. And standing in their way are Ghana, who are bidding to become the first nation from Africa to seal a spot in the final four.
Across the plateau continent, there’s overwhelming support for the Ghanaians, who knocked out USA in extra-time during the last 16. They’re all desperate to see an African nation enter unchartered, and move one step closer to – dare they even mention the words – a World Cup Final.
A campaign urging Africans to don the colours of Ghana is firmly underway, as they hope and pray that Milovan Rajevac’s side can do it for all the whole of Africa.
It would be a remarkable achievement for the Black Stars to conquer Uruguay and reach the semi-finals after having to make do without the services of talismanic midfielder Michael Essien over the course of their World Cup campaign.
The likes of Kevin-Prince Boateng and Asamoah Gyan have stepped up to the plate in his absence, and they’ve deservedly sealed a second consecutive quarter-final berth in only their second World Cup finals. Make no mistake about it, that’s a hugely impressive feat.
Meanwhile, few would have regarded Uruguay as genuine World Cup contenders before the tournament started, but they will enter Friday’s match as the favourites to progress to the last four.
A 2-1 victory over South Korea in the second round was owed largely to Luis Suárez’s brace, which included a spectacular late winner. On the face of it, Oscar Tabárez’s side’s run to the quarter-finals may sound impressive, but if you delve a little deeper under the surface, Ghana promise to be their toughest opponents of the competition so far by a considerable margin.
The African nation have been described as well-organised, disciplined and physically imposing; but their creativity has also been a reason for their progress to the latter stages, with Boateng pulling the strings.
The 23-year-old was previously uncapped before May, but has taken to international football like a duck to water, and has the ability to seriously test the resolute Uruguayan defence, who have conceded just one goal at this summer’s finals.
As does Gyan, the 24-year-old striker who has scored three goals already this tournament. Big, powerful and clinical in front of goal, it was his stunning winner in extra-time which put Ghana through to the quarters.
As for Uruguay, if anyone was unaware of the formidable Diego Forlan/ Suárez strikeforce before the 2010 World Cup, then they’ll certainly know it by now. With five goals between them in South Africa so far, they’ve well and truly lived up to the hype – unlike a number of other strikers at this year’s finals.
They have the capability to breach any defence in the world, and they will fancy their chances of scoring against Ghana. After all, Australia managed it, and they lacked an out-and-out goalscorer.
Tottenham target Edinson Cavani is also poised to start, making it a three-pronged attack for Uruguay.
And for Ghana, star midfielder Sulley Muntari could make his first start of the finals after a series of disagreements with Rajevac.
At this stage of the tournament, most teams are often evenly matched, and this quarter-final is no different. But this one promises to be special for a variety of different reasons.
With the whole of Africa backing the Ghanaians, the atmosphere will be feverish inside the magnificent Soccer City Stadium in Johannesburg. Two-time world champions Uruguay will be aiming to spoil the party and create a new chapter in the history of Uruguayan football; but Ghana will be desperate to show the world exactly how far football in Africa has come.
It will be tense and it promises to be tight. Uruguay have the quality to edge this one, but it would be foolish to discount the spirited Ghanaians, who should take this match right to the wire.
Prediction: Uruguay 2-1 Ghana (AET)
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