Bingo! Africa has recorded its first victory in this year’s historic World Cup. It was a short wait but it sure seemed like ages as an insatiable passion and hunger for a win grew throughout the continent.

On the first day, South Africa came close but did not do enough to secure victory. On the second, Nigeria fought hard but fell closely behind. The tale continued to the first game of the third day, Algeria, with only 10 men, it staged a brave fight but still lost in the end. But a mixture of luck, stupidity and determination instantaneously changed the mood of all Africans as Ghana cruised to an astounding 1-0 victory over Serbia. 

It was another remainder that football is not played on paper or by names. Serbia boasted of a squad furnished with some of Europe’s finest players; Manchester United’s Nemanja Vidic, Chelsea’s Branislav Ivanovic and CSKA Moscow’s Milos Krasic, all added to the glamour of the side. Yet Ghana, missing their key player, Micheal Essien ,through an injury, showed little respect for the celebrated stars. They took an attacking approach which was rewarded with an evenly balanced first half.

Neither side seriously threatened but Ghanaian The Black Stars looked sharper than their European opponents. Serbia had their chances but did not take them. Krasic forced a fine goal mouth block; Vidic headed a corner inches over the bar and towering striker Nikola Zigic miscued a volley six yards from the goal.

Ghana also had chances to take the lead. Andre Ayew should have put Ghana ahead but headed wide from close range. Prince Tagoe delivered a perfect cross that caught out the Serbian defence and fell perfectly for Ayew at the far post, but his header agonisingly went to the wrong side of the post. Moments later, Asamoah Gyan, did rise above Vidic to nod a long throw goal ward but he was also unfortunate, as the ball clicked the outside of the post. 

But the turning point of match came in the 72nd minute. A stroke of luck for the Ghanaians and a moment of misjudgement by Serbia’s centre back, Lukovic, resulted in a sending off. Lukovic, who had already been booked early in the second half, unnecessarily pulled back Gyan, giving the referee no option but show him a red card.

From that moment on, one had to feel Africa’s moment was drawing near. Ghana, the first African country to gain independence and the first team to have taught Malawi a 12-0 football lesson, were about to record the first African victory in a World Cup held on African soil. Benefiting from another theatrical moment, the Black Stars were gifted a penalty. A bizarre handball in the penalty area by Zdravko Kuzmanovic, galvanised the entire continent to its feet. Celebrations could not start yet as memories of the Black Stars missing a penalty on a similar occasion four years ago resurfaced. But this time, Gyan stepped up and perfectly placed the spot kick in the left top corner, sending the Serbian goalkeeper in the wrong direction.

Then the celebrations began, the fairly large and noisy Black Stars support in the stadium went wild. Cameras captured joyous scenes as the black, yellow, green and red flag flew high. After the full time whistle, scenes in Accra were euphoric as fans took to the streets. BBC’s Five live program described the celebrations in Ghana as “loud and ecstatic,” as people partied throughout the night. Even churches joined the merrymaking as Accra International Conference Centre was the stage of a four hour worship service.

 Finally, the victory for Africa had come, the tale had changed and the bliss was sure worth waiting for. Once again, Ghana had emerged as a frontrunner for Africa.