After the first phase, Ghana was presented as the African resistance in the World Cup. It was the only team from that continent that was still in contention and much of the credit went to striker Asamoah Gyan, which at that time belonged to the Stade Rennes. He became the national hero when he managed to classify his country as second in Group D. Their goals gave the victory against Serbia (0-1) and the draw against Australia (1-1). His contribution made Ghana stand in the third game of the first phase, against Germany, with options to be first in the group, but Özil avoided it.
Ghana, which also had players like Essien, Mensah (played in Primera Andaluza) or Paintsil, was also infallible before the United States, although they had to resort to the extension to become the third African team to qualify for World Cup quarterfinals. Against the Americans, Gyan was again the hero of his team. The match was tied at one (after goals by Boateng and Donovan) when in the first part of extra time the Ghanaian striker made a ride, corpsed his rival and shot the goal.
Africa would have representation among the eight best teams in the world and Gyan was their king. A reign that had a bitter end, since it went from hero to villain. The fault was a penalty. Ghana and Uruguay tied one, Luis Suárez committed a penalty and Gyan was in charge of throwing it when the clock read 120 '. If he scored, Ghana would be in the semifinals. It failed. The opportunity faded, as Uruguay did not forgive in the penalty shootout and took a ticket for the semis It would have been something historic for Ghana and Africa.