Ghana’s Boss Proud Of Black Stars

There was pride in defeat for Ghana coach Milovan Rajevac after his side’s World Cup dream was shattered by Uruguay in a penalty shoot-out at the quarterfinal stage.

The winning spot-kick was converted in audacious style by Uruguay’s Sebastian Abreu after Diego Forlan had cancelled out Sulley Muntari’s first-half opener.

“The whole of Africa supported us,” said Rajevac. “We didn’t deserve to lose this way.

“It’s difficult, but we’re proud of what we achieved”.

Ghana were bearing the hopes of a continent and the weight of a history showing that no African side has ever made it beyond the last eight of the World Cup.

Yet they twice looked poised to eclipse the achievements of Cameroon in 1990 and Senegal in 2002.

Ghana’s first glimpse of glory, which came when Muntari fired in from 35 yards in first-half injury time, was snuffed out by Forlan’s 55th-minute equaliser.

Their second came in the dying moments of extra time, when Luis Suarez handled on the line and the referee, Olegario Benquerenca awarded Ghana a penalty.

As Africa held its collective breath, Asamoah Gyan stepped up, but could only skim the crossbar with his spot-kick.

“I think we had more opportunities than our opponents, but that’s football,” added Rajevac, the wily Serbian who has sought to add European pragmatism to Ghana’s natural flair.

“We really had good support and it would have been a fairytale, but I would like to congratulate Uruguay. I’m very proud.”

Ghana defender John Pantsil warned Gyan not to let the spot-kick miss have a long-term affect on his future.

“We said to Asamoah that anyone can miss a penalty and it is part of football and it was the only mistake he made,” said the Fulham defender.

“In fact, it was not a mistake at all. It is part of football and he kicked it from his heart and we all wanted to win the game. We have been talking to him. He is feeling bad about that. It is not easy just to forget about something like that.

“As his team-mates, we have to keep him with us and talk to him about it so he can forget about it as soon as possible.