Ghana’s Black Stars, the only African team standing in the Quarter Finals of the FIFA 2010 World Cup in SA, are defeated by Uruguay

Updated: 2 Jul 2026

In the 2010 World Cup, Ghana progressed beyond the group stages, and reached the quarter-finals where they were eliminated by Uruguay. Ghana was defeated by Uruguay on penalties after Luis Suárez controversially handballed on the goal line deep into extra time, denying Ghana an almost certain winning goal. Had Ghana won their quarter final, they would have become the first African nation to progress to the semi-finals of the world cup. Of the 32 countries that participated in the 2010 FIFA World Cup, FIFA ranked Ghana 7th

How we know this

01Fletcher, Paul. "Uruguay 1–1 Ghana (4–2 pens)". BBC Sport. Retrieved 29 February 2012.

Last updated · 2 Jul 2026

Cite this entry

South African History Online. (2011, July 1). Ghana’s Black Stars, the only African team standing in the Quarter Finals of the FIFA 2010 World Cup in SA, are defeated by Uruguay. South African History Online. https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0065420

South African History Online (2011) 'Ghana’s Black Stars, the only African team standing in the Quarter Finals of the FIFA 2010 World Cup in SA, are defeated by Uruguay', South African History Online, 1 July. Available at: https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0065420 (Accessed: 6 November 2026).

South African History Online, Ghana’s Black Stars, the only African team standing in the Quarter Finals of the FIFA 2010 World Cup in SA, are defeated by Uruguay [website], https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0065420, (accessed 6 November 2026).

"Ghana’s Black Stars, the only African team standing in the Quarter Finals of the FIFA 2010 World Cup in SA, are defeated by Uruguay." South African History Online, 1 July 2011, https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0065420. Accessed 6 Nov. 2026.

South African History Online. "Ghana’s Black Stars, the only African team standing in the Quarter Finals of the FIFA 2010 World Cup in SA, are defeated by Uruguay." South African History Online. July 1, 2011. https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0065420.