With the Black Stars of Ghana, Africa’s Quest for a World Cup Continues

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(TsehaiNY.com) – Ivory Coast still had a slim chance of advancing to the knockout stage of the World Cup when they faced off against North Korea today. The Elephants came out strong and dominated North Korea 3-0 but at the end it wasn’t enough. In order to advance, Ivory Coast also needed a strong help from Brazil, but that did not come. With the elimination of Ivory Coast the only team from Africa moving on to the round of 16 in the World Cup is Ghana.

The Black Stars of Ghana lost to Germany on Wednesday, but held them to only one goal and also received the help they needed from Australia to move on to the knockout stage of the tournament. The second round of tournament came very close to not having a single team from Africa. This would have been especially disappointing considering the World Cup is being held in the African Continent for the first time in history.

This Saturday Ghana will face the United States in what is sure to be a tough, exciting and yet a winnable game for the Black Stars. This is also not the first time Ghana played USA in the World Cup. In 2006 Ghana beat USA 2-1, in the first round of the tournament eliminating Team USA from advancing to the round of 16.

Thus far for Ghana, it has not been an easy road. The Black Stars came into the tournament without their main star, midfield attacker Michael Essien and his absence is evident. Team Ghana is finding it very difficult to score.

However, if the Black Stars manage to pull off a win they will be the third African team to advance to the quarter finals. A feat only two other African teams ever managed to reach on the quest for a World Cup. In 2002 it was Senegal and in 1990 it was Cameroon that made it to the quarterfinals.

Will 2010 be the year for the Black Stars to advance to the quarter finals as they continue their quest for a World Cup? The world will stay tuned.