“The Hand of God” and Proof of the African Duo

AFP/KHALED DESOUKI

A Ghana fan attends the Qatar 2022 World Cup Group H football match between South Korea and Ghana at the Education City Stadium in Al-Rayyan, west of Doha, on November 28, 2022.

DOHA, KOMPAS – The final day of the 2022 World Cup group stage, Friday (2/12/2022), will determine whether or not Ghana and Cameroon can follow in Senegal’s footsteps in qualifying for the round of 16. The two proud African teams will be facing off the giants of South America, Uruguay and Brazil, in their bid to qualify for the knockout stage.

Together with Senegal, Ghana and Cameroon are the most successful African ambassadors in the history of the World Cup. They have made it to the quarter-finals before.

Cameroon earned the “elite” title during the 1990 World Cup in Italy. Senegal then achieved the same during its debut in the 2002 South Korea-Japan World Cup. In 2010, when the World Cup was held in South Africa, it was Ghana’s turn to uphold the dignity of the continent by qualifying for the top eight.

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For the first time, the three best African ambassadors have the opportunity to reach the knockout stage together. Senegal has already secured its place and will play against England on Monday (5/12) at 2 a.m. Western Indonesia Time (WIB).

The Black Stars, Ghana’s nickname, have strengthened their motivation to overtake Senegal. They cannot wait to beat Uruguay and heal the wounds of being eliminated by the two-time world champion in the 2010 quarter-finals.

At the time, Ghana’s dream of becoming the first African ambassador in the World Cup semi-finals was overshadowed by Uruguay striker Luis Suarez’s ‘Hand of God’ scandal. He was given a red card and his team was awarded a penalty. However, Ghana failed to take advantage of it and was eliminated.

The whole world knows what happened. Once [we found out] we’re in the group with Uruguay, the one thing that comes to mind is revenge. We want it,

Ghana supporters have not been able to forget that scandal. They believe their team should have made it to the semi-finals if Suarez had not blocked Dominic Adiyiah’s header with his hands at the end of extra time.

“The whole world knows what happened. Once [we found out] we’re in the group with Uruguay, the one thing that comes to mind is revenge. We want it,” said Asamoah Gyan, a Ghana player who failed to score the penalty against Uruguay in 2010.

KOMPAS/YUNIADHI AGUNG

South Korean player Son Heungmin fell after fighting for the ball with Ghana players during a match in the Group H phase of the 2022 World Cup at Education City Stadium, Qatar, Monday (28/11/2022). Ghana won 3-2.

The Ghanaian public is still peeved that Suarez, until now, has refused to apologize. “I will not do it because I received a red card and the referee gave a penalty. Instead, the one who should apologize [to the people of Ghana] is the player who failed to execute the penalty,” Suarez said, in retaliation.

Thus, even though they need a draw to qualify (given South Korea fails to beat Portugal), Ghana will desperately try to beat Uruguay. Uruguay will not keep quiet and try to overwhelm Ghana again because they still have a chance to qualify for the round of 16.

In response to the heated atmosphere before the crucial match, Ghana coach Otto Addo asked his players to remain coolheaded. He did not want his team to play recklessly. “Uruguay is a team with a long history of soccer and has players with extraordinary ability and mental strength. I ask the players to sacrifice everything and do their best to beat Uruguay,” Addo said at a press conference in Doha.

Getting rid of bad luck

Cameroon also has the ambition to overthrow the giant in a match against Brazil at the Lusail Stadium on Saturday (3/12/2022) at 2 a.m. WIB. Even though they are now ranked third in Group G with one point, Cameroon still has a chance to qualify for the round of 16, given that they win against Brazil. At the same time, Switzerland, which ranks second in the team with three points, is being held back by Serbia.

Cameroon coach Rigobert Song hopes his team will get rid of their bad luck in the World Cup group stage. They are after a first win in nine games without any positive results in the group stage since the 2002 World Cup.

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“We will do everything to win. [We will] focus on facing this ‘final’ match and earn three points. Then, we will see what will happen [in qualifying for the round of 16],” said Song.

Cameroon can follow in the footsteps of Tunisia, who was able to beat France. Like France, Brazil coach Tite is likely to have several of its main players rest. Brazil does not need to fiercely fight for victory as it has already won a ticket to the knockout stage. (BBC)

This article was translated by Kesya Adhaila.