Viva Espana

Well done to Spain, worthy winners of the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Thanks for following the Sandlanders blog this past month, we will be back to reporting on African football from now until 2014 when Brazil are the next to host what may well be the greatest show on earth!

FIFA World Cup 2010 Final Spain v Holland

Good look to both finalists tomorrow as an amazing month of football comes to a close. Ghana have broken new ground and helped bring the tournament to life for Africa but tomorrow is all about the two teams who have gone all the way. Spain have probably been the best team in the world for a few years now and will hope to prevail but this has been an interesting tournament and anything can happen!

Black Stars visit the Mandelas

Uruguay 1-1 Ghana (Uruguay win 4-2 on pens)

A mighty effort from the Black Stars, well done on a great performance.

Dominic Adiyiah was unjustly denied the goal that would have given Africa its first semi-finalists but as Coach Milo repeatedly said after the game "that's football".



Picture: Ivan Sekretarev / AP

Ghana vs Uruguay: Moment of history for Ghana and Africa

South African fans will be blowing their vuvuzelas for the Black Stars of Africa Picture credit: mtnfootball.com

It's less than 22 hours to Ghana's first ever quarter-final match in the FIFA world cup competition. Over here in Ghana, local football fans are waiting, with anxious optimism, for the historic duel between their beloved black stars and two-time champions, Uruguay. The wishes, prayers and dreams of Ghanaians have diffused into their social media conversations. On twitter, many are expressing their expectations for a potential Ghana win using the #whenghanawinstomorrow hash tag.

Ghanaians are not the only ones interested in the match. The whole of Africa, including some of the continent's top players, coaches and soccer pundits, have united resolutely behind the team to ensure that they become the first from the continent to cross the quarter-final threshold of the global tourney. Former South African president, Thabo Mbeki sent an official message to the team, via the GFA, to demonstrate his support. Re-christening the team Black Stars of Africa, Mbeki sees this match as one not just for Ghana but the whole continent, stating that:

It is clear that the Black Stars will now have to discharge the highly honourable and well deserved responsibility to represent Africa and the African Diaspora in the next stages of the World Cup.

The Uruguayans are also bracing themselves for action. Their head coach sees the match as an opportunity to restore his country's place among the global footballing elite. He's wary of the youthfulness and hunger of the Ghanaian team, and is fully aware of the threat that Ghana poses to their world cup aspirations:

Ghana is a country that is coming closer to elite football,” he said. “They have young payers with a lot of experience. They can be the first African team in the semifinals, so from the point of view of motivation I think the Ghana team is going to be very strong.

This match promises to be one of action, power and competition to the end. This is certainly a match of destiny for the Black Stars of Ghana and Africa and we're supporting them all the way. Oseeey Ghana!

Ghana 2-1 USA

History was made tonight as Ghana became only the third African nation to qualify for the last 8 at a World Cup. It was another resilient performance from the Black Stars who scored first through Kevin Prince-Boateng and an extra-time goal by Asamoah Gyan (his third of the tournament) gave Ghana the win. They now face the challenge of keeping prolific Uruguayans Forlan and Suarez quiet next Friday but if the game is won in midfield rather than attack then expect Ghana to prevail.



Gyan mobbed by Captain Appiah and the other Black Stars after scoring his stunning winner

Ghana v USA

Good luck to Ghana tonight in one of the biggest games in their footballing history. For the second successive World Cup the Black Stars have made it through to the last 16. Last time around they lost valiantly against Brazil but on this occasion the challenge of the USA is undeniably weaker. There are no easy games at this level of course but Ghana will feel like genuine contenders going into the game and will be hopeful of reaching a historic quarter-final. Go Ghana Black Stars we are praying for you!



Paintsil celebrates qualification despite defeat to Germany.

Picture Credit: Gero Breloer/AP