Rajevac: Ghana cheered on by whole world
Reuters - Saturday 26 June 2010, 22:59
RUSTENBURG - Ghana carried Africa's
remaining World Cup hopes into the quarter-finals with an extra
time 2-1 win over the United States but coach Milovan Rajevac
said later that his team was being cheered by the whole world.
The Black Stars became only the third African side to
advance to the last eight of a World Cup, enjoying a large
section of home support as the continent's last representatives
at the first African World Cup.
But Rajevac insisted after the drama-filled extra-time
victory that his side's attractive playing style was winning
fans from an area much wider than across Africa.
"The whole world is watching these games. This is the World
Cup we are talking about. Everybody loves good football and I
think because of that Ghana has the support of the whole world
and not only the African continent."
Rajevac, an unheralded Serbian coach when he arrived in
Ghana just over two years ago, said being the only African side
left at the tournament did not impose an unnecessary burden on
his team.
"The players showed they are a team who concentrate on what
happens on the pitch. There are no other pressures."
He looked to deflect persistent questions about the team's
new-found position as flag bearers for African hopes.
"Now, we are going to get ready for the match against
Uruguay. There is lots at stake."
Ghana play Uruguay at Soccer City in Johannesburg on Friday
in the second of the quarter-final matches.
The previous African teams to reach the last eight are
Cameroon (1990) and Senegal (2002).
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