Germany's national football team defeated Ghana Wednesday, 1-0, a result that sees both teams through to the knockout Round of 16 at the World Cup in South Africa.
The game's only goal came in the 60th minute when German midfielder Mesut Oezil found the net with a hard, left-footed shot from just outside the top of the penalty box that beat Ghanaian goalkeeper Richard Kingson. With the victory, the three-time World Cup champions finished on top of Group D with six points.
Ghana finished second in the group with four points. Australia, which defeated Serbia Wednesday, two-one, (in Nelspruit, South Africa) also had four points, but The Black Stars of Ghana move on because of better goal difference.
The Black Stars were the only African team to advance to the second round at the 2006 World Cup in Germany , and more than likely, that will be the same scenario here in South Africa. Kofi Nsiah is a member of the Ghana Football Association. He said after the loss to Germany that Ghana realizes African pride is at stake with its World Cup performance. "It puts a lot of responsibility on the country (Ghana). The expectations are high. And we hope to live up to those expectations," he said.
Ghana will next play the United States on Saturday at Royal Bafokeng Stadium in Rustenberg, South Africa. The Ghanaians beat the Americans at the 2006 World Cup in Germany. The Germans will face England on Sunday at Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein, South Africa.
A crowd of more than 83,000 attended the match between Ghana and Germany here at Soccer City Stadium, the venue for the World Cup final on July 11.
