Ghana draw with Germany to keep qualification hopes alive

Ghana have faint hopes of progressing to the last 16 of the World Cup after surrendering a lead to draw 2-2 with Germany in Fortaleza on Saturday night.

The 2010 quarter-finalists must now win their final match against Portugal and hope other results go their way to cruise to the knockout round.


The Black Stars supplied a positive response than what Portugal put up which allowed Die Mannschaft a handsome 4-0 win.


Kwesi Appiah made three changes to the team which lost 2-1 to USA in their opener and his approach was effective.


They matched the Europeans in every department and had shots on target from Christian Atsu and Sulley Muntari saved by goalkeeper Manuel Neur.


Ghana were the first to fire the warning shot early on in the match but when the ball fell to captain Asamoah Gyan, he squandered that glorious scoring opportunity.

Both sides served delicious football but could not find the back of the net at the interval.


After the break, Germany shot ahead through Mario Gotze- his first World Cup goal-after his header on a Thomas Muller cross fortuitously struck his knee to beat Fatau Dauda.


John Boye mis-timed his defensive header and right-back was late in closing down Gotze.


But it took three minutes for the Black Stars to respond through Andre Ayew who out-jumped his marker to head home superbly.


The goal re-invigorated the West Africans and mounted a search for the lead with some delicate passing game.

Captain Gyan then put Ghana ahead by finishing a great run into the area and powerfully shot home for his fourth World Cup and joined the league of scorers in three consecutive World Cup appearances.


Germany equalized as substitute Miroslav Klose poked home a corner-kick which was flicked by Howedes.


It was a World Cup record equaling 15th goal for the Lazio forward as he is now tied with Brazil legend Ronaldo.


For Ghana to qualify, Portugal must beat USA on Sunday and Ghana win against Portugal in the final Group G match with Germany aiding their course by beating USA.