Another page was added into the 2010 FIFA World Cup catalogue of goalkeeping howlers as Ghanaian goalkeeper, Richard Kingston, gifted Australia a cheap goal in Ghana’s one all draw with the Oceania side at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium in Rustenburg.

The Black Stars of Ghana were one win away from booking a spot in the knockout round but quickly slipped behind to a Bret Holman goal in the 11th minute. Algerian coach, Rabah Saadane, had earlier claimed the Jabulani ball being used at the world Cup “does all sorts of stuff and magic” and it seems the ball was at it again. Kingston surprisingly failed to handle a free kick fired from over 30-yards and his fumble gifted Holman the scoring opportunity. The ball fell kindly to Holman’s feet for the striker to vivaciously fire in Australia’s first goal of the tournament.

However, Ghana did not stay on the back foot for long, they responded with a sequence of fast attacks that quickly paid off. In the 24th minute, Australia failed to deal with a Ghanaian corner and a goal bound shot by John Mensah was handled on the line by Australian attacking midfielder, Harry Kewell. The referee sent Kewell off and Asamoah Gyan expertly converted the subsequent penalty.

The Black Stars failed to build on the sending off and were at times threatened by their out numbered opponents. In the end, Australia managed to overcome their setbacks and battled for an important draw. The priceless point keeps Australia’s slim hopes of reaching the second round alive while Ghana will have to fight for at least a draw against Germany on Wednesday to guarantee qualification.

Meanwhile, the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon became the first African team to crush out of the World Cup after suffering a second successive defeat. The Lions went down 2-1 to Denmark in a thrilling Group E encounter at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria.  

Cameroon made a dream start to the match by scoring an early goal. A shocking error by Denmark defender, Christian Poulsen, when he misplaced a pass at the back gifted Ghana the scoring opportunity. Pierre Webo picked the ball, sprinted down the left frank before squaring the ball into the box for Samuel Eto’o to fire Cameroon ahead from 14-yards.

But Denmark levelled the scores after 32 minutes. Dennis Rommedahl made a surging run down the right before sliding the ball across the goal; beyond the reach of the goalkeeper but right into the path of Arsenal striker, Nicholus Bendtner, who made no mistake but stab the ball into the empty net.

The indomitable Lions early exist was sealed in the 60th minute by a superb solo effort goal by Rommedahl. The Danish winger picked the ball down the right flank, surged into the 18-yard box before switching inside and curling a left footed shot past the Cameroonian goalkeeper, Souleymanou Hamidou. 

In the end the fate for the African side was sealed. Cameroon will be on the first plane out of South Africa after their last game against Netherlands. The match will be a mere formality as the European side has already made it to the next round.