Goal hero Boateng faces race against time
Reuters - Sunday 27 June 2010, 08:38
RUSTENBURG - Ghana goal hero Kevin-Prince
Boateng faces a week of intensive therapy in a bid to get fit
for the World Cup quarter-final after suffering a hamstring
injury.
Boateng scored a fifth minute goal on Saturday to set his
side on the way to a 2-1 win over the United States in their
second round match in Rustenburg but later limped off in the
second half.
Coach Milovan Rajevac said the Germany-born midfielder would
face intensive treatment in a bid to be ready for the match
against Uruguay at Soccer City in Johannesburg on Friday.
Boateng was among several Ghana players limping after the
exertions of the extra time triumph over the Americans at the
Royal Bafokeng Stadium.
"Boateng was injured against Germany already. It is going to
be a huge problem to get him ready for the next game," said
Rajevac following the record-equalling performance by Ghana,
only the third African country to reach the last eight of the
World Cup.
NIGGLING INJURIES
Rajevac said there were also other players with niggling
injuries. Dede Ayew will also miss the match through suspension
after picking a second caution of the tournament.
"We are going to see how the players react in the next days.
For me the priority now will be to try and get them all ready
for Friday. There is a lot of work ahead for the medical staff."
The Serbian-born coach praised the efforts of his players
who he said had learnt how to compete.
"We played in the African Nations Cup this year without
eight important players and managed to reach the final. The team
learnt how to compete. The most important thing at this level is
to know how to compete," he said.
"Each victory counts and this is very dear. Ghana is now
among the best eight teams in the world. This is fantastic," he
added, keeping a stoical face at the post-match news conference
but then breaking into a broad smile once it was over.
Ghana are the only African side left at the World Cup and
for a second successive tournament the only team from the
continent to get past the first round.
"I think we can claim to be the best team in Africa now if
you consider that, plus the fact we reached the Nations Cup
final," added captain John Mensah.
Follow FFT.com on Twitter
Join FFT.com on Facebook