The U.S loss in the World Cup to Ghana is hard to take but the Americans have taken one for the team.

It would be a very poor World Cup without a team from Africa in the final eight and let's be glad Ghana made it

They also send a message to the rest of Africa.

Ghana is a flourishing democracy, a jewel in the African crown.

There is little corruption there which really helps when it comes to the soccer team.

Unlike other African nations such as Nigeria who treated their team abysmally or Ivory Coast which is caught up in a political crisis, Ghana were firing on all cylinders from the day they arrived at the World Cup.

They are an astounding football team and a beacon of democracy on a continent that badly needs such an example.

So go Ghana..you deserve all the praise and plaudits.