Ghana at the FIFA World Cup

The FIFA World Cup, sometimes called the Football World Cup, but usually referred to simply as the World Cup, is an international association football competition contested by the men's national teams of the members of Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA), the sport's global governing body. The championship has been awarded every four years since the first tournament in 1930, except in 1942 and 1946, due to World War II.

The tournament consists of two parts, the qualification phase and the final phase (officially called the World Cup Finals). The qualification phase, which currently take place over the three years preceding the Finals, is used to determine which teams qualify for the Finals. The current format of the Finals involves 32 teams competing for the title, at venues within the host nation (or nations) over a period of about a month. The World Cup Finals is the most widely viewed sporting event in the world, with an estimated 715.1 million people watching the 2006 tournament final.

This article is about the World Cup history of one of the leading nations in African football, Ghana. Ghana have appeared in the finals of the World Cup on four occasions, in 2006, 2010 where they reached the quarter-finals, 2014 and in 2022.

FIFA World Cup record edit

Ghana have qualified for four FIFA World Cup tournaments; 2006, 2010, 2014 and 2022.

In 2006 they were the only African side to advance to the Second round of 2006 FIFA World Cup and were the sixth nation in a row from Africa to progress beyond the group stages of the World Cup.[1] Ghana had the youngest team in the FIFA World Cup 2006 with an average age of 23 years and 352 days,[1] and were praised for their improving performance.[2][3] FIFA ranked Ghana 13th out of the 32 countries who competed in the tournament.[4]

In the 2010 World Cup, Ghana progressed beyond the group stages, and reached the quarter-finals where they were eliminated by Uruguay. Ghana was defeated by Uruguay on penalties after Luis Suárez controversially handballed on the goal line deep into extra time, denying Ghana an almost certain winning goal.[5] Had Ghana won their quarter final, they would have become the first African nation to progress to the semi-finals of the world cup. Of the 32 countries that participated in the 2010 FIFA World Cup, FIFA ranked Ghana 7th.[6]

In the 2014 and 2022 World Cup, Ghana was eliminated in the group stage.

Ghana vs. Serbia in the 2010 FIFA World Cup group D match at Loftus Versfeld Stadium, Pretoria on 13 June 2010.
Ghana vs. Uruguay in the 2010 FIFA World Cup quarter-final match at Soccer City, Johannesburg on 2 July 2010.
FIFA World Cup record
Year Round Position Pld W D L GF GA
  1930 Did not enter
  1934
  1938
  1950
  1954
  1958
  1962 Did not qualify
  1966 Withdrew
  1970 Did not qualify
  1974
  1978
  1982 Withdrew
  1986 Did not qualify
  1990
  1994
  1998
    2002
  2006 Round of 16 13th 4 2 0 2 4 6
  2010 Quarter-finals 7th 5 2 2 1 5 4
  2014 Group stage 25th 3 0 1 2 4 6
  2018 Did not qualify
  2022 Group stage 24th 3 1 0 2 5 7
      2026 To be determined
      2030
  2034
Total Quarter-finals 4/25 15 5 3 7 18 23

By match edit

World Cup Round Opponent Score Result Venue Ghana scorers
2006 Group E   Italy 0–2 L Hanover
  Czech Republic 2–0 W Cologne A. Gyan, S. Muntari
  United States 2–1 W Nuremberg H. Draman, S. Appiah
Round of 16   Brazil 0–3 L Dortmund
2010 Group D   Serbia 1–0 W Pretoria A. Gyan
  Australia 1–1 D Rustenburg A. Gyan
  Germany 0–1 L Johannesburg
Round of 16   United States 2–1 (a.e.t.) W Rustenburg K. P. Boateng, A. Gyan
Quarter-finals   Uruguay 1–1 (a.e.t.) p. 2–4 D Johannesburg S. Muntari
2014 Group G   United States 1–2 L Natal A. Ayew
  Germany 2–2 D Fortaleza A. Ayew, A. Gyan
  Portugal 1–2 L Brasilia A. Gyan
2022 Group H   Portugal 2–3 L Doha A. Ayew, O. Bukari
  South Korea 3–2 W Al Rayyan M. Salisu, M. Kudus (2)
  Uruguay 0–2 L Al Wakrah

Record by opponent edit

FIFA World Cup matches (by team)
Opponent Total Wins Draws Losses Goals scored Goals conceded
  Australia 1 0 1 0 1 1
  Brazil 1 0 0 1 0 3
  Czech Republic 1 1 0 0 2 0
  Germany 2 0 1 1 2 3
  Italy 1 0 0 1 0 2
  Portugal 2 0 0 2 3 5
  Serbia 1 1 0 0 1 0
  South Korea 1 1 0 0 3 2
  United States 3 2 0 1 5 4
  Uruguay 2 0 1 1 1 3

Participations edit

Germany 2006 edit

Head coach:   Ratomir Dujković

No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Club
1 1GK Sammy Adjei (1980-09-01)1 September 1980 (aged 25) 31   F.C. Ashdod
2 3MF Hans Sarpei (1976-06-28)28 June 1976 (aged 29) 7   VfL Wolfsburg
3 4FW Asamoah Gyan (1985-11-22)22 November 1985 (aged 20) 13   Udinese[7]
4 2DF Samuel Kuffour (1976-09-03)3 September 1976 (aged 29) 58   Roma
5 2DF John Mensah (1982-11-29)29 November 1982 (aged 23) 33   Rennes
6 2DF Emmanuel Pappoe (1981-03-03)3 March 1981 (aged 25) 27   Hapoel Kfar Saba
7 2DF Illiasu Shilla (1982-10-26)26 October 1982 (aged 23) 2   Asante Kotoko
8 3MF Michael Essien (1982-12-03)3 December 1982 (aged 23) 17   Chelsea
9 3MF Derek Boateng (1983-05-02)2 May 1983 (aged 23) 11   AIK
10 3MF Stephen Appiah (c) (1980-12-24)24 December 1980 (aged 25) 42   Fenerbahçe
11 3MF Sulley Muntari (1984-08-27)27 August 1984 (aged 21) 16   Udinese
12 4FW Alex Tachie-Mensah (1977-02-15)15 February 1977 (aged 29) 5   St. Gallen
13 2DF Habib Mohamed (1983-12-10)10 December 1983 (aged 22) 1   King Faisal Babes
14 4FW Matthew Amoah (1980-10-24)24 October 1980 (aged 25) 16   Borussia Dortmund
15 3MF John Paintsil (1981-06-15)15 June 1981 (aged 24) 21   Hapoel Tel Aviv
16 1GK George Owu (1982-06-17)17 June 1982 (aged 23) 6   Ashanti Gold
17 2DF Daniel Quaye (1980-12-25)25 December 1980 (aged 25) 7   Hearts of Oak
18 2DF Eric Addo (1978-11-12)12 November 1978 (aged 27) 6   PSV Eindhoven
19 4FW Razak Pimpong (1982-12-30)30 December 1982 (aged 23) 4   Copenhagen
20 4FW Otto Addo (1975-06-09)9 June 1975 (aged 31) 13   Mainz 05
21 2DF Issah Ahmed (1982-05-24)24 May 1982 (aged 24) 10   Randers
22 1GK Richard Kingson (1978-06-13)13 June 1978 (aged 27) 33   Ankaraspor
23 3MF Haminu Dramani (1986-04-01)1 April 1986 (aged 20) 7   Red Star Belgrade[8]

Italy vs Ghana edit

Italy  2–0  Ghana
Pirlo   40'
Iaquinta   83'
Report
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Italy
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ghana
GK 1 Gianluigi Buffon
RB 2 Cristian Zaccardo
CB 13 Alessandro Nesta
CB 5 Fabio Cannavaro (c)
LB 3 Fabio Grosso
DM 21 Andrea Pirlo
RM 20 Simone Perrotta
LM 4 Daniele De Rossi   10'
AM 10 Francesco Totti   56'
CF 11 Alberto Gilardino   64'
CF 9 Luca Toni   82'
Substitutions:
MF 16 Mauro Camoranesi   62'   56'
FW 15 Vincenzo Iaquinta   88'   64'
FW 7 Alessandro Del Piero   82'
Manager:
Marcello Lippi
 
GK 22 Richard Kingson
RB 15 John Paintsil
CB 4 Samuel Kuffour
CB 5 John Mensah
LB 6 Emmanuel Pappoe   46'
RM 18 Eric Addo
CM 8 Michael Essien
CM 10 Stephen Appiah (c)
LM 11 Sulley Muntari   41'
CF 14 Matthew Amoah   68'
CF 3 Asamoah Gyan   65'   89'
Substitutions:
DF 7 Illiasu Shilla   46'
FW 19 Razak Pimpong   68'
FW 12 Alex Tachie-Mensah   89'
Manager:
  Ratomir Dujković

Man of the Match:
Andrea Pirlo (Italy)

Assistant referees:
Aristeu Tavares (Brazil)
Ednílson Corona (Brazil)
Fourth official:
Khalil Al Ghamdi (Saudi Arabia)
Fifth official:
Hamdi Al Kadri (Syria)

Czech Republic vs Ghana edit

Asamoah Gyan opened the scoring with a low left footed shot to the net from the edge of the penalty area. Gyan then missed a penalty in the second half when he hit his shot against the post in the 66th minute. Sulley Muntari got the second goal for Ghana in the 82nd minute, finishing a move with a left footed shot to the roof of the net from inside the penalty area.

Czech Republic  0–2  Ghana
Report Gyan   2'
Muntari   82'
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Czech Republic
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ghana
GK 1 Petr Čech
RB 2 Zdeněk Grygera
CB 21 Tomáš Ujfaluši   65'
CB 22 David Rozehnal
LB 6 Marek Jankulovski
DM 4 Tomáš Galásek (c)   46'
RM 8 Karel Poborský   56'
CM 10 Tomáš Rosický
CM 11 Pavel Nedvěd
LM 20 Jaroslav Plašil   68'
CF 12 Vratislav Lokvenc   49'
Substitutions:
MF 19 Jan Polák   46'
MF 17 Jiří Štajner   56'
FW 7 Libor Sionko   68'
Manager:
Karel Brückner
 
GK 22 Richard Kingson
RB 15 John Paintsil
CB 5 John Mensah
CB 7 Illiasu Shilla
LB 13 Habib Mohamed   90+3'
RM 20 Otto Addo   18'   46'
CM 8 Michael Essien   37'
CM 10 Stephen Appiah (c)
LM 11 Sulley Muntari   84'
CF 14 Matthew Amoah   80'
CF 3 Asamoah Gyan   66'   85'
Substitutions:
MF 9 Derek Boateng   75'   46'
MF 18 Eric Addo   80'
FW 19 Razak Pimpong   85'
Manager:
  Ratomir Dujković

Man of the Match:
Michael Essien (Ghana)

Assistant referees:
Darío García (Argentina)
Rodolfo Otero (Argentina)
Fourth official:
Jerome Damon (South Africa)
Fifth official:
Enock Molefe (South Africa)

Ghana vs United States edit

Ghana opened the scoring in the 22nd minute when Haminu Draman curled a low right footed shot past the goalkeeper from the left of the penalty area. The winning goal for Ghana was a penalty at the end of the first half which Stephen Appiah shot high right footed to the goalkeepers right.

Ghana  2–1  United States
Draman   22'
Appiah   45+2' (pen.)
Report Dempsey   43'
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ghana
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
United States
GK 22 Richard Kingson
RB 15 John Paintsil
CB 5 John Mensah   81'
CB 7 Illiasu Shilla   32'
LB 13 Habib Mohamed
DM 8 Michael Essien   5'
RM 9 Derek Boateng   46'
LM 23 Haminu Draman   80'
AM 10 Stephen Appiah (c)   90+1'
CF 14 Matthew Amoah   59'
CF 19 Razak Pimpong
Substitutions:
MF 20 Otto Addo   46'
MF 18 Eric Addo   59'
FW 12 Alex Tachie-Mensah   80'
Manager:
  Ratomir Dujković
 
GK 18 Kasey Keller
RB 6 Steve Cherundolo   61'
CB 13 Jimmy Conrad
CB 22 Oguchi Onyewu
LB 3 Carlos Bocanegra
DM 10 Claudio Reyna (c)   40'
RM 8 Clint Dempsey
LM 7 Eddie Lewis   7'   74'
AM 21 Landon Donovan
CF 17 DaMarcus Beasley
CF 20 Brian McBride
Substitutions:
MF 14 Ben Olsen   40'
FW 9 Eddie Johnson   61'
MF 15 Bobby Convey   74'
Manager:
Bruce Arena

Man of the Match:
Stephen Appiah (Ghana)

Assistant referees:
Christian Schräer (Germany)
Jan-Hendrik Salver (Germany)
Fourth official:
Toru Kamikawa (Japan)
Fifth official:
Yoshikazu Hiroshima (Japan)

Brazil vs Ghana Second Round Match edit

Brazil  3–0  Ghana
Ronaldo   5'
Adriano   45+1'
Zé Roberto   84'
Report
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Brazil
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ghana
GK 1 Dida
RB 2 Cafu (c)
CB 3 Lúcio
CB 4 Juan   44'
LB 6 Roberto Carlos
CM 5 Emerson   46'
CM 11 Zé Roberto
AM 8 Kaká   83'
AM 10 Ronaldinho
CF 7 Adriano   13'   61'
CF 9 Ronaldo
Substitutions:
MF 17 Gilberto Silva   46'
MF 19 Juninho   61'
MF 20 Ricardinho   83'
Manager:
Carlos Alberto Parreira
 
GK 22 Richard Kingson
RB 15 John Paintsil   29'
CB 5 John Mensah
CB 7 Illiasu Shilla
LB 6 Emmanuel Pappoe
RM 11 Sulley Muntari   11'
CM 10 Stephen Appiah (c)   7'
CM 18 Eric Addo   38'   60'
LM 23 Haminu Dramani
CF 14 Matthew Amoah   70'
CF 3 Asamoah Gyan   48'   81'
Substitutions:
MF 9 Derek Boateng   60'
FW 12 Alex Tachie-Mensah   70'
Manager:
  Ratomir Dujković

Man of the Match:
Zé Roberto (Brazil)

Assistant referees:
Roman Slysko (Slovakia)
Martin Balko (Slovakia)
Fourth official:
Mark Shield (Australia)
Fifth official:
Nathan Gibson (Australia)


South Africa 2010 edit

Coach:   Milovan Rajevac

No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Club
1 1GK Daniel Adjei (1989-11-10)10 November 1989 (aged 20) 2   Liberty Professionals
2 2DF Hans Sarpei (1976-06-28)28 June 1976 (aged 33) 23   Bayer Leverkusen
3 4FW Asamoah Gyan (1985-11-22)22 November 1985 (aged 24) 32   Rennes
4 2DF John Paintsil (1981-06-15)15 June 1981 (aged 28) 65   Fulham
5 2DF John Mensah (c) (1982-11-29)29 November 1982 (aged 27) 58   Sunderland
6 3MF Anthony Annan (1986-07-21)21 July 1986 (aged 23) 38   Rosenborg
7 2DF Samuel Inkoom (1989-08-22)22 August 1989 (aged 20) 15   Basel
8 2DF Jonathan Mensah (1990-07-13)13 July 1990 (aged 19) 3   Granada
9 3MF Derek Boateng (1983-04-02)2 April 1983 (aged 27) 19   Getafe
10 3MF Stephen Appiah (1980-12-24)24 December 1980 (aged 29) 56   Bologna
11 3MF Sulley Muntari (1984-08-27)27 August 1984 (aged 25) 52   Internazionale
12 4FW Prince Tagoe (1986-11-09)9 November 1986 (aged 23) 17   1899 Hoffenheim
13 3MF André Ayew (1989-12-17)17 December 1989 (aged 20) 15   Arles-Avignon
14 4FW Matthew Amoah (1980-10-24)24 October 1980 (aged 29) 31   NAC
15 2DF Isaac Vorsah (1988-06-21)21 June 1988 (aged 21) 6   1899 Hoffenheim
16 1GK Stephen Ahorlu (1989-05-10)10 May 1989 (aged 21) 0   Heart of Lions
17 2DF Abdul Rahim Ayew (1988-04-16)16 April 1988 (aged 22) 6   Zamalek
18 4FW Dominic Adiyiah (1989-11-29)29 November 1989 (aged 20) 4   Milan
19 2DF Lee Addy (1985-09-26)26 September 1985 (aged 24) 3   Bechem Chelsea
20 3MF Quincy Owusu-Abeyie (1986-04-15)15 April 1986 (aged 24) 12   Al-Sadd
21 3MF Kwadwo Asamoah (1988-09-09)9 September 1988 (aged 21) 29   Udinese
22 1GK Richard Kingson (1978-06-13)13 June 1978 (aged 31) 58   Wigan Athletic
23 3MF Kevin-Prince Boateng (1987-03-06)6 March 1987 (aged 23) 0   Portsmouth

Serbia vs Ghana edit

Asamoah Gyan scored only goal of the game came in the 85th minute from the penalty spot, shooting to the goalkeepers right after a handball offence by Zdravko Kuzmanovic.

Serbia  0–1  Ghana
Report Gyan   85' (pen.)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Serbia[10]
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ghana[10]
GK 1 Vladimir Stojković
RB 6 Branislav Ivanović
CB 13 Aleksandar Luković   54'   74'
CB 5 Nemanja Vidić
LB 3 Aleksandar Kolarov
CM 11 Nenad Milijaš   62'
CM 10 Dejan Stanković (c)
RW 17 Miloš Krasić
LW 14 Milan Jovanović   76'
SS 9 Marko Pantelić
CF 15 Nikola Žigić   19'   69'
Substitutions:
MF 22 Zdravko Kuzmanović   83'   62'
FW 8 Danko Lazović   69'
DF 20 Neven Subotić   76'
Manager:
Radomir Antić
 
GK 22 Richard Kingson
RB 4 John Paintsil
CB 15 Isaac Vorsah   26'
CB 5 John Mensah (c)
LB 2 Hans Sarpei
CM 6 Anthony Annan
CM 23 Kevin-Prince Boateng   90+1'
RW 12 Prince Tagoe   89'
AM 21 Kwadwo Asamoah   73'
LW 13 André Ayew
CF 3 Asamoah Gyan   90+3'
Substitutions:
MF 10 Stephen Appiah   73'
DF 19 Lee Addy   90+1'
MF 20 Quincy Owusu-Abeyie   90+3'
Manager:
  Milovan Rajevac
 
Serbia vs Ghana

Man of the Match:
Asamoah Gyan (Ghana)

Assistant referees:
Ricardo Casas (Argentina)[9]
Hernán Maidana (Argentina)[9]
Fourth official:
Subkhiddin Mohd Salleh (Malaysia)[9]
Fifth official:
Jeffrey Gek Pheng (Singapore)[9]

Ghana vs Australia edit

Asamoah Gyan scored the equalizer for Ghana in the 25th minute from the penalty spot, shooting low to the goalkeepers left after a handball by Harry Kewell on the goal-line for which he was shown a straight red card.

Ghana  1–1  Australia
Gyan   25' (pen.) Report Holman   11'
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ghana[11]
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Australia[11]
GK 22 Richard Kingson (c)
RB 4 John Paintsil
CB 8 Jonathan Mensah   79'
CB 19 Lee Addy   40'
LB 2 Hans Sarpei
DM 6 Anthony Annan   84'
CM 23 Kevin-Prince Boateng   87'
RW 12 Prince Tagoe   56'
AM 21 Kwadwo Asamoah   77'
LW 13 André Ayew
CF 3 Asamoah Gyan
Substitutions:
MF 20 Quincy Owusu-Abeyie   56'
MF 11 Sulley Muntari   77'
FW 14 Matthew Amoah   87'
Manager:
  Milovan Rajevac
 
GK 1 Mark Schwarzer
RB 8 Luke Wilkshire   84'
CB 2 Lucas Neill (c)
CB 3 Craig Moore   85'
LB 21 David Carney
CM 5 Jason Culina
CM 16 Carl Valeri
RW 7 Brett Emerton
AM 14 Brett Holman   68'
LW 23 Mark Bresciano   66'
CF 10 Harry Kewell   24'
Substitutions:
DF 11 Scott Chipperfield   66'
FW 9 Joshua Kennedy   68'
FW 17 Nikita Rukavytsya   84'
Manager:
  Pim Verbeek

Man of the Match:
Asamoah Gyan (Ghana)

Assistant referees:
Paolo Calcagno (Italy)
Stefano Ayroldi (Italy)
Fourth official:
Carlos Simon (Brazil)
Fifth official:
Altemir Hausmann (Brazil)

Ghana vs Germany edit

Ghana  0–1  Germany
Report Özil   60'
Attendance: 83,391
Referee: Carlos Simon (Brazil)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ghana[12]
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Germany[12]
GK 22 Richard Kingson
RB 4 John Paintsil
CB 5 John Mensah (c)
CB 8 Jonathan Mensah
LB 2 Hans Sarpei
DM 6 Anthony Annan
CM 23 Kevin-Prince Boateng
CM 21 Kwadwo Asamoah
RW 12 Prince Tagoe   64'
LW 13 André Ayew   40'   90+2'
CF 3 Asamoah Gyan   82'
Substitutions:
MF 11 Sulley Muntari   64'
FW 14 Matthew Amoah   82'
FW 18 Dominic Adiyiah   90+2'
Manager:
  Milovan Rajevac
 
GK 1 Manuel Neuer
RB 16 Philipp Lahm (c)
CB 17 Per Mertesacker
CB 3 Arne Friedrich
LB 20 Jérôme Boateng   73'
CM 7 Bastian Schweinsteiger   81'
CM 6 Sami Khedira
RW 13 Thomas Müller   43'   67'
AM 8 Mesut Özil
LW 10 Lukas Podolski
CF 19 Cacau
Substitutions:
MF 15 Piotr Trochowski   67'
MF 2 Marcell Jansen   73'
MF 18 Toni Kroos   81'
Manager:
Joachim Löw

Man of the Match:
Mesut Özil (Germany)

Assistant referees:
Altemir Hausmann (Brazil)
Roberto Braatz (Brazil)
Fourth official:
Martín Vázquez (Uruguay)
Fifth official:
Carlos Pastorino (Uruguay)

United States vs Ghana edit

United States vs Ghana was played on 26 June 2010 at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium in Rustenburg. The match was watched by 19 million Americans, making it the most watched association football match in American television history.[13] The match was won by Ghana in extra time, after Asamoah Gyan broke a 1–1 deadlock. Kevin-Prince Boateng scored the opening goal of the match for Ghana in the 5th minute. The goal followed an error by Ricardo Clark, who lost the ball to Ghana in midfield. Boateng took the ball to the edge of the penalty area, beating US goalkeeper Tim Howard with a low left foot shot. Landon Donovan equalised with a penalty kick in the 62nd minute, awarded after Jonathan Mensah fouled Clint Dempsey. The US had chances to win the game thereafter, but they were unable to get past Ghana's goalkeeper Richard Kingson. The match thus went to extra time. In the third minute, Gyan latched onto a high long ball, chesting it down and holding off two defenders before scoring the winner.[14] After the match, Ghana's coach Milovan Rajevac hailed his side's achievement in becoming one of the "best eight teams in the world", but regretted the number of players that would miss the quarter-final against Uruguay because of injury or suspension.[15] The president of the Soccer Federation, Sunil Gulati, lamented the team's failure to make the quarter-finals and thereby further raise the profile of the sport in the US.[16]

United States  1–2 (a.e.t.)  Ghana
Donovan   62' (pen.) Report Boateng   5'
Gyan   93'
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
USA[17]
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ghana[17]
GK 1 Tim Howard
RB 6 Steve Cherundolo   18'
CB 15 Jay DeMerit
CB 3 Carlos Bocanegra (c)   68'
LB 12 Jonathan Bornstein
CM 4 Michael Bradley
CM 13 Ricardo Clark   7'   31'
RW 8 Clint Dempsey
LW 10 Landon Donovan
CF 17 Jozy Altidore   91'
CF 20 Robbie Findley   46'
Substitutions:
MF 19 Maurice Edu   31'
MF 22 Benny Feilhaber   46'
FW 9 Herculez Gomez   91'
Manager:
Bob Bradley
 
GK 22 Richard Kingson
CB 4 John Paintsil
CB 5 John Mensah (c)
CB 8 Jonathan Mensah   61'
RWB 7 Samuel Inkoom   113'
LWB 2 Hans Sarpei   73'
CM 6 Anthony Annan
CM 23 Kevin-Prince Boateng   78'
RW 21 Kwadwo Asamoah
LW 13 André Ayew   90+2'
CF 3 Asamoah Gyan
Substitutions:
DF 19 Lee Addy   73'
MF 10 Stephen Appiah   78'
MF 11 Sulley Muntari   113'
Manager:
  Milovan Rajevac

Man of the Match:
André Ayew (Ghana)

Assistant referees:
Gábor Erős (Hungary)
Tibor Vámos (Hungary)
Fourth official:
Michael Hester (New Zealand)
Fifth official:
Tevita Makasini (Tonga)


Uruguay vs Ghana edit

Uruguay and Ghana met on 2 July 2010 at Soccer City, Johannesburg for a place in the semi-final against the Netherlands. It was the first time that the teams had ever played each other in a senior competitive football match. After a dramatic 120 minutes of play (including extra time) that finished 1–1, Uruguay won in a penalty shoot-out 4–2.[18] Uruguay dominated the early periods of the match, but suffered an injury to captain Diego Lugano in the first half. Just before half-time, Ghana took the lead when Sulley Muntari was allowed time on the ball by Uruguay, and took advantage by scoring with a shot from 40 yards. After half-time, Diego Forlán pulled Uruguay level with a free kick from the left side of the field that went over the head of Ghana's goalkeeper Richard Kingson. While both teams had chances to win, the match proceeded to extra time as the scores remained level. Late in extra time, Ghana sent a free kick into the box; Luis Suárez blocked Stephen Appiah's shot on the goal line.[19] On the rebound, Dominic Adiyiah's header was heading into the goal, but Suárez blatantly blocked the shot with his hands[20] to save what would have been the extra-time winner[21] and he was red carded. Asamoah Gyan missed the ensuing penalty kick off the crossbar[19] and Suárez celebrated the miss.[22][23] In the shootout, Gyan converted his penalty,[21] as did everybody else until the 4th round of penalty kicks when Adiyiah's penalty was saved by Uruguayan goalkeeper Fernando Muslera. Uruguay's Maxi Pereira then hit his penalty kick over the bar. Muslera saved Captain John Mensah's, and Ghana's fifth, penalty.[18] Sebastián Abreu converted Uruguay's fifth spot kick by lightly chipping it Panenka-style to win the match.[24] After the game, Suárez said, "I made the save of the tournament,"[21] and, referring to the infamous handball goal scored by Diego Maradona in the 1986 World Cup, claimed that "The 'Hand of God' now belongs to me." Suárez claimed he had no alternative and was acting out of instinct.[25] Forlán agreed that Suárez saved the game, "Suárez this time, instead of scoring goals, he saved one, I think he saved the game.[21] Ghana coach Milovan Rajevac said the play was an "injustice"[22] and Suárez was labeled a "villain"[25][26] and a "cheat".[20][27] But Uruguay coach, Óscar Tabárez, said these labels were too harsh, "Well, there was a handball in the penalty area, there was a red card and Suárez was thrown out. Saying that Ghana were cheated out of the game is too harsh. We have to go by the rules. It might have been a mistake by my player but I do not like that word ‘cheating’."[28] Ghana was the last African team left in the tournament and if they had won, they would have been the first team from Africa to ever make the semifinals.[29] But others viewed him as a hero[20][30] who sacrificed himself in the semifinal for the unlikely chance that his team could win.[27][31] A distraught Gyan conceded, "I would say Suárez is a hero now in his own country, because the ball was going in and he held it with his hand. He is a hero now."[29]

Uruguay  1–1 (a.e.t.)  Ghana
Forlán   55' Report Muntari   45+2'
Penalties
Forlán  
Victorino  
Scotti  
M. Pereira  
Abreu  
4–2   Gyan
  Appiah
  Mensah
  Adiyiah
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Uruguay[32]
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ghana[32]
GK 1 Fernando Muslera
RB 16 Maxi Pereira
CB 2 Diego Lugano (c)   38'
CB 6 Mauricio Victorino
LB 4 Jorge Fucile   20'
RM 20 Álvaro Fernández   46'
CM 15 Diego Pérez   59'
CM 17 Egidio Arévalo Ríos   48'
LM 7 Edinson Cavani   76'
CF 9 Luis Suárez   120+1'
CF 10 Diego Forlán
Substitutions:
DF 19 Andrés Scotti   38'
MF 14 Nicolás Lodeiro   46'
FW 13 Sebastián Abreu   76'
Manager:
Óscar Tabárez
 
GK 22 Richard Kingson
RB 4 John Paintsil   54'
CB 15 Isaac Vorsah
CB 5 John Mensah (c)   93'
LB 2 Hans Sarpei   77'
DM 6 Anthony Annan
RM 7 Samuel Inkoom   74'
CM 21 Kwadwo Asamoah
CM 23 Kevin-Prince Boateng
LM 11 Sulley Muntari   88'
CF 3 Asamoah Gyan
Substitutions:
MF 10 Stephen Appiah   74'
FW 18 Dominic Adiyiah   88'
Manager:
  Milovan Rajevac

Man of the Match:
Diego Forlán (Uruguay)

Assistant referees:
José Manuel Silva Cardinal (Portugal)
Bertino Miranda (Portugal)
Fourth official:
Alberto Undiano Mallenco (Spain)
Fifth official:
Fermín Martínez Ibánez (Spain)


Brazil 2014 edit

Head coach:   James Kwesi Appiah

The final squad was announced on 1 June 2014.[33] On 26 June 2014, midfielders Sulley Muntari and Kevin-Prince Boateng were sent home and indefinitely suspended from the national team for disciplinary reasons.[34][35]

No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Club
1 1GK Stephen Adams (1989-09-28)28 September 1989 (aged 24) 7   Aduana Stars
2 2DF Samuel Inkoom (1989-06-01)1 June 1989 (aged 25) 46   Platanias[36]
3 4FW Asamoah Gyan (c) (1985-11-22)22 November 1985 (aged 28) 79   Al-Ain
4 2DF Daniel Opare (1990-10-18)18 October 1990 (aged 23) 16   Standard Liège[37]
5 3MF Michael Essien (1982-12-03)3 December 1982 (aged 31) 57   Milan
6 3MF Afriyie Acquah (1992-01-05)5 January 1992 (aged 22) 5   Parma
7 3MF Christian Atsu (1992-01-10)10 January 1992 (aged 22) 23   Vitesse[38]
8 3MF Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu (1990-12-02)2 December 1990 (aged 23) 49   Udinese
9 4FW Kevin-Prince Boateng (1987-03-06)6 March 1987 (aged 27) 13   Schalke 04
10 3MF André Ayew (1989-12-17)17 December 1989 (aged 24) 49   Marseille
11 3MF Sulley Muntari (1984-08-27)27 August 1984 (aged 29) 82   Milan
12 1GK Adam Kwarasey (1987-12-12)12 December 1987 (aged 26) 21   Strømsgodset
13 4FW Jordan Ayew (1991-09-11)11 September 1991 (aged 22) 13   Sochaux[39]
14 3MF Albert Adomah (1987-12-13)13 December 1987 (aged 26) 15   Middlesbrough
15 2DF Rashid Sumaila (1992-12-18)18 December 1992 (aged 21) 6   Mamelodi Sundowns
16 1GK Fatau Dauda (1985-04-06)6 April 1985 (aged 29) 18   Orlando Pirates
17 3MF Mohammed Rabiu (1989-12-31)31 December 1989 (aged 24) 17   Kuban Krasnodar
18 4FW Majeed Waris (1991-09-19)19 September 1991 (aged 22) 13   Valenciennes[40]
19 2DF Jonathan Mensah (1990-07-13)13 July 1990 (aged 23) 27   Evian
20 3MF Kwadwo Asamoah (1988-12-09)9 December 1988 (aged 25) 62   Juventus
21 2DF John Boye (1987-04-23)23 April 1987 (aged 27) 30   Rennes
22 3MF Mubarak Wakaso (1990-07-25)25 July 1990 (aged 23) 17   Rubin Kazan
23 2DF Harrison Afful (1986-06-24)24 June 1986 (aged 27) 41   Espérance

Ghana vs United States edit

Ghana  1–2  United States
A. Ayew   82' Dempsey   1'
Brooks   86'
Attendance: 51,081

Germany vs Ghana edit

Germany  2–2  Ghana
Götze   51'
Klose   71'
A. Ayew   54'
Gyan   63'
Attendance: 59,481
Referee: Sandro Ricci (Brazil)

Portugal vs Ghana edit

Portugal  2–1  Ghana
Boye   31' (o.g.)
Ronaldo   80'
Gyan   57'

Qatar 2022 edit

Group stage edit

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1   Portugal 3 2 0 1 6 4 +2 6 Advanced to knockout stage
2   South Korea 3 1 1 1 4 4 0 4
3   Uruguay 3 1 1 1 2 2 0 4
4   Ghana 3 1 0 2 5 7 −2 3
Source: FIFA
Rules for classification: Group stage tiebreakers
Portugal  3–2  Ghana
Report
Attendance: 42,662

South Korea  2–3  Ghana
Report

Ghana  0–2  Uruguay
Report
Attendance: 43,443

Record players edit

Rank Player Matches World Cups
1 Asamoah Gyan 11 2006, 2010 and 2014
2 Richard Kingson 9 2006 and 2010
John Paintsil 9 2006 and 2010
Sulley Muntari 9 2006, 2010 and 2014
André Ayew 9 2010, 2014 and 2022
6 John Mensah 8 2006 and 2010
Kwadwo Asamoah 8 2010 and 2014
8 Stephen Appiah 7 2006 and 2010
Kevin-Prince Boateng 7 2010 and 2014
10 Matthew Amoah 6 2006 and 2010
Jonathan Mensah 6 2010 and 2014

Top goalscorers edit

Rank Player Goals World Cups
1 Asamoah Gyan 6 2006 (1), 2010 (3) and 2014 (2)
2 André Ayew 3 2014 (2) and 2022 (1)
3 Sulley Muntari 2 2006 and 2010
Mohammed Kudus 2 2022
5 Stephen Appiah 1 2006
Haminu Draman 1 2006
Kevin-Prince Boateng 1 2010
Osman Bukari 1 2022
Mohammed Salisu 1 2022

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ a b "Ghana 2–1 USA". BBC. 22 June 2006. Retrieved 29 February 2012.
  2. ^ "Rehhagel: Africa is catching up". fifa.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA). Archived from the original on October 2, 2013.
  3. ^ "Black Stars Ascend To Glory". fifa.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA). Archived from the original on April 30, 2011.
  4. ^ Black Stars 13th ranked – 2006 FIFA World Cup
  5. ^ Fletcher, Paul. "Uruguay 1–1 Ghana (4–2 pens)". BBC Sport. Retrieved 29 February 2012.
  6. ^ "Ghana records best World Cup ranking". ghanafa.org. Ghana Football Association (GFA). 13 July 2010. Archived from the original on 9 January 2012. Retrieved 28 February 2012.
  7. ^ Asamoah has spent the run up to the tournament on loan to Modena.
  8. ^ Dramani joined Gençlerbirliği after the tournament.
  9. ^ a b c d e "Referee designations for matches 1-16" (PDF). FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 5 June 2010. Archived from the original (PDF) on 5 July 2010. Retrieved 5 June 2010.
  10. ^ a b "Tactical Line-up – Group D – Serbia-Ghana" (PDF). FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 13 June 2010. Archived from the original (PDF) on November 9, 2012. Retrieved 13 June 2010.
  11. ^ a b "Tactical Line-up – Group D – Ghana-Australia" (PDF). FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 19 June 2010. Archived from the original (PDF) on September 8, 2011. Retrieved 19 June 2010.
  12. ^ a b "Tactical Line-up – Group D – Ghana-Germany" (PDF). FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 23 June 2010. Archived from the original (PDF) on November 9, 2012. Retrieved 23 June 2010.
  13. ^ "U.S. V Ghana Tie Most-Watched Soccer Game in U.S. History". ABC News. American Broadcasting Company. 28 June 2010. Archived from the original on 4 July 2010. Retrieved 30 June 2010.
  14. ^ Fletcher, Paul (26 June 2010). "USA 1–2 Ghana (aet)". BBC News. British Broadcasting Corporation. Archived from the original on 1 July 2010. Retrieved 2 July 2010.
  15. ^ Condie, Stuart (27 June 2010). "Gyan scores in extra time to give Ghana 2–1 win over US and spot in quarters". The Canadian Press. Archived from the original on 29 June 2010. Retrieved 30 June 2010.
  16. ^ Schwarz, Orrin (30 June 2010). "USA's setback vs. Ghana bigger than just one game". Daily Herald. Archived from the original on 2 July 2010. Retrieved 28 May 2011.
  17. ^ a b "Tactical Line-up – Last 16 – United States-Ghana" (PDF). FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 26 June 2010. Archived from the original (PDF) on November 11, 2012. Retrieved 26 June 2010.
  18. ^ a b Lynch, Michael (4 July 2010). "Uruguay ends the dream for gutted Ghana". Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on 9 July 2010. Retrieved 3 July 2010.
  19. ^ a b "Match 58 – Quarter-finals – Ghana pay the penalty". FIFA.com. 2 July 2010. Archived from the original on 11 August 2011. Retrieved 23 August 2011.
  20. ^ a b c "The Luis Suarez story part two – new Liverpool FC star always one to hit the headlines". Liverpool Echo. 10 February 2011. p. 3. Retrieved 23 August 2011.
  21. ^ a b c d "World Cup 2010: I have hand of God – Uruguay's Suarez". BBC Sport. 3 July 2010. Retrieved 24 August 2011.
  22. ^ a b Jeffrey Marcus (2 July 2010). "Uruguay Trades Penalty for Chance at Victory". The New York Times. Retrieved 23 August 2011.
  23. ^ Angus MacSwan (3 July 2010). "I had no choice but to handle says Uruguay's Suarez". Reuters. Archived from the original on 5 July 2010. Retrieved 3 July 2010.
  24. ^ Fletcher, Paul (2 July 2010). "Uruguay 1–1 Ghana (4–2 pens)". BBC Sport. Archived from the original on 2 July 2010. Retrieved 3 July 2010.
  25. ^ a b Jamie Doward (4 July 2010). "Luis Suarez is new World Cup villain after 'hand of God' claim". The Guardian. Retrieved 24 August 2011.
  26. ^ "Luis Suárez Statistics". ESPN Soccernet. Retrieved 13 April 2010.
  27. ^ a b Jim White (4 July 2010). "World Cup 2010: why can't football tackle cheats?". Telegraph Media Group. Archived from the original on October 24, 2010. Retrieved 28 August 2011.
  28. ^ Paul Kelso (3 Jul 2010). "World Cup 2010: Uruguay owe semi-final spot to 'sporting injustice', says Ghana coach". The Telegraph. Retrieved 4 September 2011.
  29. ^ a b Ian Chadband (3 Jul 2010). "World Cup 2010: Uruguay's Luis Suárez revels in second coming of Hand of God". Telegraph Media Group. Retrieved 27 August 2011.
  30. ^ "A country full of gratitude defies freezing weather to honour Uruguay's soccer team". MercoPress. 14 July 2010. Retrieved 24 August 2011.
  31. ^ Ben Lyttleton (4 July 2010). "In Suarez's absence Uruguay will lean even more heavily on Forlan". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved 21 August 2011.
  32. ^ a b "Tactical Line-up – Quarterfinal – Uruguay-Ghana" (PDF). FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 2 July 2010. Archived from the original (PDF) on November 9, 2012. Retrieved 2 July 2010.
  33. ^ "Appiah selects final 23 for World Cup". ghanafa.org/. 1 June 2014. Retrieved 1 June 2014.
  34. ^ Hills, David (26 June 2014). "Ghana in chaos as Sulley Muntari and Kevin-Prince Boateng suspended". The Guardian. Retrieved 26 June 2014.
  35. ^ "World Cup: Ghana duo Sulley Muntari and Kevin-Prince Boateng kicked out of squad". Sky Sports News. 26 June 2014. Retrieved 26 June 2014.
  36. ^ Inkoom was on loan at Platanias from Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk. Mensah, Kent (6 January 2014). "Inkoom: Platanias FC move a "huge relief"". goal.com. goal.com. Retrieved 8 July 2014.
  37. ^ Opare joined Porto after the tournament. Al-Smith, Gary (23 May 2014). "Daniel Opare signs for Porto". SuperSport. SuperSport. Retrieved 8 July 2014.
  38. ^ Atsu was on loan at Vitesse from Chelsea. "Atsu moves to Chelsea from Portugal". chelseafc.com. Chelsea FC. 1 September 2013. Archived from the original on 14 February 2014. Retrieved 8 July 2014.
  39. ^ Ayew was on loan at Sochaux from Marseille. "Jordan Ayew officiellement sochalien". fcsochaux.fr (in French). FC Sochaux. 6 January 2014. Retrieved 9 July 2014.
  40. ^ Waris was on loan at Valenciennes from Spartak Moscow. "Officiel : Abdul Majeed Waris prêté au VAFC !". Valenciennes FC (in French). Valenciennes FC. 2 January 2014. Retrieved 9 July 2014.

External links edit