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Nigeria
was on the ropes from a 2-1 loss against Greece in its second match after taking an
early lead on Kalu Uche goal in the 16th minute and was officially eliminated when they could not
get any separation in a must win game after a 2-2 draw with Korea Republic in the third match.
Argentina defeated Greece 2-0 to win the group while Korea Republic advanced as the second
place team with 4 points.
Ivory Coast
were in Group G, (the group of death) and with Didier Drogba
leading the
charge they opened the tournament with a respectable 0-0 draw against Cristiano Ronaldo and
Portugal. But Cameroon's cookie started crumbling after a 3-1 loss to Brazil in its second match as
Portugal jumped into second place with a 7-0 blow out of Korea DPR.
Needing to win by a double digit margin against Korea DPR in the third match, Ivory Coast could
only manage a 3-0 win and was eliminated as Portugal and Brazil advanced to the Round of 16
after playing to a scoreless tie.
Algeria,
was one of Africa's hopefuls before the tournament but lost significant ground after
giving up a late goal in a 1-0 loss to Slovenia in their first match. They kept their slim hopes alive
by shutting down Wayne Rooney and England offense in a scoreless tie in their second match, but
conceded another late goal to the USA in injury time in their third match and was eliminated.
Algeria finished Group C in third place behind USA and England respectively.
Ghana
opened with a close 1-0 victory over Serbia and with a 1-1 tie against Australia in their
second match, they stood atop Group D standings with four points to second place Germany and
Switzerland with 3 points and Australia’s with 1 point and an outside chance to advance.
Though they lost 1-0 to Germany in their last group match, the Black Stars advanced to the round
of 16 KO stage as the only African team left in the tournament. The advanced after Australia upset
Serbia 1-0. However for the second time in as many world cups they had to face the never say die
USA of 2010 in the round of 16 KO stage. Ghana became the sentimental choice of the
tournament.
(Cont’d on Page 36
)
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