Previews & Predictions: Ghana vs. Uruguay

Hardly anyone expected Uruguay and Ghana to make it this far, but one of them will be among the final four teams of the tournament. Uruguay is hoping to achieve world cup glories of the past, while Ghana is trying to become the first African nation to reach the semifinals.


One wonders whether the Uruguayans really believe that they can win their third world cup trophy, but the reality is that if they manage to beat Ghana, anything is possible for the former football powerhouse. Led by Diego Forlan, Uruguay has performed far beyond expectations. The South Americans have a virtually impenetrable defense captained by Diego Lugano. The 6’2” Fenerbahce man has been one of the world cup’s best defenders, and his partnership with Godin, has been one of the stingiest, allowing only one goal during the entire tournament. The team’s midfield has not been the most creative, but it is comprised of hard-nosed midfielders who fight for every loose ball, and make life very difficult for an opposition that is trying to impose it’s rhythm. The team’s superstars, Forlan and Suarez, play up front, and rely mostly on long balls. Nevertheless, both forwards have exploited the few chances they’ve been given to score. Both are also very adept at shooting from range.



Definitely not one of the favorite African teams to be in this position, especially when it lost its captain, Michael Essien, to injury, Ghana has only improved as it’s progressed through the world cup. Having started as a defensively minded team that hoped to score as a result of opponents’ mistakes, the team has begun to attack more consistently, relying mostly on its speed and athleticism. Even though the team’s defense has been prone to a few silly mistakes, mostly attributed to the inexperience of young defenders, it’s been rather solid under the leadership of Sunderland’s John Mensah. In midfield, Kevin Prince Boateng, and Anthony Annan, have justified Milovan Rajevac’s decision to keep Sulley Muntari and Stephen Appiah on the bench, controlling much of the ball and closing space in front of the defense. The team’s attack has mostly relied on the wing play of Andre Ayew, and the goal-scoring prowess of Asamoah Gyan, although the latter has only scored one goal in open play, against the United States. The biggest problem facing Ghana is the rash of injuries that is plaguing the team, and looks to leave the team short of some of its better players.

Prediction: Ghana 1 - Uruguay 0

For the most part, this game should prove a tight affair with both teams reluctant to attack too much lest they make a costly mistake at the back. Uruguay’s midfield should make sure that the Ghanaians never find the rhythm they found against the US, while Ghana’s defense will close the tiny holes Suarez and Forlan like to navigate in. Forlan will probably resort to picking up the ball at midfield, leaving Suarez outnumbered by very strong African defenders. Gyan will also find it very difficult up-front. He relies primarily on his speed and there will be very little room for him to get going. Expect the game to head into extra-time unless a goal materializes out of a set-piece. With Godin out with an injury, Ghana should move one with a scrappy goal in the box.