Chris Maduewesi
Member
The Black Stars of Ghana paid the price for the disharmony in their camp as they became the latest African team to be eliminated out of the 2014 FIFA World Cup tournament,losing 2-1 in their last group game against Portugal.
It was also a disappointing game for the Portuguese who were equally knocked out of the competition,with USA taking the second position and qualifying behind Germany who topped the group following a 1-0 victory over them.
Ghana came into their game against Portugal with so much controversies centered on the team. Both Sulley Muntari and Kevin Prince Boateng were sacked from the Ghanaian squad coming into the game and the air of disunity hovered over the team.
Initially the players were said to have declined to play the game against Portugal unless they were paid their appearance fees which forced the Ghana government to airlift $3million to the team on Wednesday.
All these affected Ghana in a game they could have won and qualified.
Cristiano Ronaldo did all he could to score a goal but Daudu was good in goal even making a point blank save from a header that looked as though it was going in.
Portugal went a goal up after a horrendous defending saw John Boye turn in a Miguel Veloso's cross into his net to score the second own goal of the World cup.
Hopes came back after Asamoah Gyan netted an equaliser heading in a goal for Ghana in the second half.
Gyan with the goal became the highest African goalscorer in World Cup history,bagging six goals in three World Cup appearances.
Ghana was expected to press for a winner in order to stand a chance of progressing to the next round. Gyan played a pinpoint cross to Christain Atsu who headed just wide.
But the contest was effectively killed off after Ronaldo capitalised on an error to stab in a goal late in the game,his 50th for his country.
The result didn't favour either team because of the outcome of the game between Germany and USA.
A Thomas Muller's strike made all the difference to secure a 1-0 victory for the Europeans. Muller has now scored nine goals and has four assists in nine World Cup games.
The result was just enough for USA to make a second successive appearance at the World Cup,qualifying on a superior goals difference.
It was also a disappointing game for the Portuguese who were equally knocked out of the competition,with USA taking the second position and qualifying behind Germany who topped the group following a 1-0 victory over them.
Ghana came into their game against Portugal with so much controversies centered on the team. Both Sulley Muntari and Kevin Prince Boateng were sacked from the Ghanaian squad coming into the game and the air of disunity hovered over the team.
Initially the players were said to have declined to play the game against Portugal unless they were paid their appearance fees which forced the Ghana government to airlift $3million to the team on Wednesday.
All these affected Ghana in a game they could have won and qualified.
Cristiano Ronaldo did all he could to score a goal but Daudu was good in goal even making a point blank save from a header that looked as though it was going in.
Portugal went a goal up after a horrendous defending saw John Boye turn in a Miguel Veloso's cross into his net to score the second own goal of the World cup.
Hopes came back after Asamoah Gyan netted an equaliser heading in a goal for Ghana in the second half.
Gyan with the goal became the highest African goalscorer in World Cup history,bagging six goals in three World Cup appearances.
Ghana was expected to press for a winner in order to stand a chance of progressing to the next round. Gyan played a pinpoint cross to Christain Atsu who headed just wide.
But the contest was effectively killed off after Ronaldo capitalised on an error to stab in a goal late in the game,his 50th for his country.
The result didn't favour either team because of the outcome of the game between Germany and USA.
A Thomas Muller's strike made all the difference to secure a 1-0 victory for the Europeans. Muller has now scored nine goals and has four assists in nine World Cup games.
The result was just enough for USA to make a second successive appearance at the World Cup,qualifying on a superior goals difference.
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