JOHANNESBURG: World Cup organisers have congratulated Ghana for qualifying for the last 16 of the World Cup where they will likely be the sole African representative.

The Ghanaians went through despite losing 1-0 to Germany, edging out both Australia and Serbia in a tight Group D and will play the United States in a last 16 round match in Rustenburg on Saturday.

Of the five other African teans in the World Cup finals, South Africa, Algeria, Nigeria and Cameroon are already out and the Ivory Coast are left needing an unlikely miracle to go through from Group G.

Ghana were also the only African team to reach the last 16 four years ago in Germany where they lost to Brazil.
"We wish to congratulate Ghana for keeping the african representation high in the tournament and wish them good luck against the USA," saod Local Organising Committee spokesman Rich Mkhondo.

"We are doing so because ... it`s an African World Cup, a festival in Africa and so we have always maintained that we wish and hope that the African teams do well.

"Football is a game. you win some games, and you lose some others. There are only six African teams, so surely the balance is not in favour of the African teams.

"What we are saying is that we want to show the world we are able to to host an international event
"We are saying, as organisers we are very proud with the fact that Ghana is still there".

BDST: 1822hrs, June 24, 2010
SA