SOUTH AFRICA: FOOTBALL/SOCCER: WORLD CUP 2010: Joyous Ghana fans leave Loftus Versfeld stadium in Pretoria after beating Serbia 1-0

Record ID: 452503

  • Title: SOUTH AFRICA: FOOTBALL/SOCCER: WORLD CUP 2010: Joyous Ghana fans leave Loftus Versfeld stadium in Pretoria after beating Serbia 1-0
  • Date: 14th June 2010
  • Summary: (SOUNDBITE) (English) SAYING: GHANA FAN, TRACY, SAYING: "The first African team to win the match so I think the World Cup is going to stay in Africa for the first time. We are hosting for the first time and we are going to keep the Cup here." FANS LEAVING STADIUM (SOUNDBITE) (English) SERBIA FAN, RIAAN HOFMEYR, SAYING: "It was awesome, tight but good at the end, but unfortunately we didn't score at the end, it was close. I still don't think the red card was right, but you know how it is." GHANA FANS CELEBRATING (SOUNDBITE) (English) UNIDENTIFIED SERBIA FAN SAYING: "The game was even you know, but unfortunately the penalty happened, so next time." FANS LEAVING STADIUM
  • Embargoed: 29th June 2010 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: South Africa
  • Country: South Africa
  • Topics: Sports
  • Reuters ID: LVA30CDDMEH732DINDFVV1PWUAC9
  • Story Text: Jubilant Ghana fans poured out of Loftus Versfeld stadium in Pretoria on Sunday (June 13) after an 85th minute penalty from Asamoah Gyan gave Ghana a 1-0 victory over Serbia in World Cup Group D.
    "We only look up to God because we know that greater things are ahead. Australia - two goals to nothing. Germany - there best is going to be a draw against Ghana. They underrate us, they always think we are underdogs but at the end of the day, we know how to win, we know how to win," said Boukiri Booksem from Ghana.
    Ghana won despite the absence of their injured inspiration Michael Essien in midfield, and the victory provided Africa with their first win in the tournament.
    "The first African team to win the match so I think the World Cup is going to stay in Africa for the first time. We are hosting for the first time and we are going to keep the Cup here," said Ghana fan Tracy.
    Ghana's fans produced a truly African atmosphere, but the game did not truly come alive until Serbia had Aleksander Lukovic sent off for a second bookable offence in the 74th minute.
    "It was awesome, tight but good at the end, but unfortunately we didn't score at the end, it was close. I still don't think the red card was right, but you know how it is," said Serbia fan Riaan Hofmeyr.
    Serbia was making its maiden appearance as an independent nation at the World Cup and are looking to lay to rest the ghosts of a dismal last appearance in 2006.
    Serbia and Montenegro's 2006 campaign lost all three group games including a 6-0 mauling by Argentina.
    A handball by substitute Zdravko Kuzmanovic led to the spot kick which Gyan, who had missed several chances, converted with confidence.
    "The game was even you know, but unfortunately the penalty happened, so next time," said another Serbian fan who did not want to give his name.
    Serbia next meets Germany on June 18 in Port Elizabeth and Ghana faces Australia on June 19 in Rustenberg.
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