本屆世界盃非洲有四支球隊第一次進入決賽圈：科特迪瓦、多哥、安哥拉和加納。但隨著前三支球隊被淘汰出局，加納成了唯一倖存的非洲新軍。

　　對於22日對美國隊的生死戰，加納隊長阿皮亞接到了來自被淘汰出局的非洲兄弟的支援。科特迪瓦的德羅巴要求阿皮亞擊敗美國隊從而為非洲爭得一個16強席位，而來自多哥的阿德巴約和卡達爾也向阿皮亞表達了他們的支持。

　　阿皮亞説：“他們説:‘兄弟們, 我們沒能完成任務,所以現在你們代表了整個非洲.’ 我很高興能夠得到朋友們的支持, 我們準備得很好. 比賽會很重要, 只要我們有決心,我們一定會贏得比賽.”

　　鏈結：http://sports.yahoo.com/sow/news?slug=ap-wcup-ghana&prov=ap&type=lgns

　　原文：Ousted African stars cheer on Ghana against United States

　　NUREMBERG, Germany (AP) -- Ghana's African rivals are counting on the Black Stars to carry the mantle into the second round for the continent's other World Cup newcomers.

　　Ivory Coast striker Didier Drogba has urged Ghana captain Stephen Appiah to beat the United States on Thursday to clinch a spot in the second round of the World Cup. Appiah said he has also heard from Togo players Emmanuel Adebayor and Mohamed Kader about the upcoming game in Nuremberg.

　　"They said: 'Guys we are behind you people, we couldn't make it so you have to represent Africa,"' Appiah said. "I was very happy when I heard such a thing from my friends ... We are prepared very well and it will be a crucial game but as far as we are determined to win, I think we can make it."

　　The Black Stars lost their opening game 2-0 to Italy but rebounded with a shocking 2-0 defeat of the Czech Republic. Ghana can assure advancement with a win, or a draw and an Italy win over the Czech Republic. Ghana can also advance with a draw and an Italy loss by at least two goals.

　　Ghana is one of four African newcomers in Germany, but Ivory Coast, Togo and Angola have already been eliminated. Tunisia, which is playing in its fourth World Cup, still has a chance to advance from Group H.

　　"People didn't expect us to play the way we played. All Ghanaians are happy not only for Ghana but for the whole continent as well," Appiah said. "We are cool and we are ready. Most important, we are ready to meet the U.S. tomorrow."

　　Ghana will play the United States without suspended striker Asamoah Gyan and midfielder Sulley Muntari, who both scored against the Czechs.

　　"We're going to miss them ... But all the guys are ready to die for the nation," Appiah said.

　　Coach Ratomir Dujkovic said he did not underestimate the Americans but admitted he was looking forward to a possible second-round clash with Brazil, a team he said Ghana tries to model itself after.

　　The 60-year-old Serb said he had improved discipline at Ghana since he arrived in late 2004, as the sixth Ghana coach in three years.

　　"There are no stars in the group. Everyone is the same. It (took) hard work and this is why we qualified," Dujkovic said. "If one player comes late to lunch or to breakfast it means we will be late also in covering ground ... If a bus going to the training camp or the match he must be there on time."

　　作者-北京外國語大學 英語 柳瀚

責編：盧爽