World Cup Update: Ghana beat Korea, Cameroon hold Serbia to keep Africa alive

Southampton's Mohammed Salisu celebrates after firing Ghana in front against South Korea on Monday. Ghana won 3-2. (Photo credit: GOAL)

African contingents are gradually coming to life in the ongoing World Cup and Monday’s results have given hope to the continent with Ghana and Cameroon coming through with strong results.

A loss would have ultimately eliminated Cameroon after they lost their opener to Switzerland but rallying from 3-1 to earn a point via a 3-3 draw with Serbia is laudable. The indomitable lions will now have to negotiate with Brazil for a result that will see them through to the next round.

Serbia raced into a 3-1 lead after falling behind on the half-hour mark to a Castelletto strike but Cameroon managed to go into the half-time break a goal behind despite being ahead up until the 45th-minute mark in the game.

Strahinja Pavlovic scored in the first minute of the added time of the first half and then Lazio midfield maestro Serjei Milinkovic-Savic completed the turnaround two minutes late. There was still time for Luka Jovic to enter the referee’s book as the half wore on.

The second half started the same way the first ended; Serbia scored again through Alexander Mitrovic but Cameroon rallied from there. Vincent Aboubakar raced through and brilliantly lobbed the keeper to half the deficit; he was ruled off by an on-field decision but VAR showed he was on.

Bayern Munich striker Choupo Moting leveled just three minutes afterward and Cameroon pushed for the winner but Serbia stood firm. Cameroon had managed a situation with first-choice goalkeeper Andre Onana before the game started as he was sent packing from the tournament after he was deemed rude to the manager.

Elsewhere, Ghana’s Mohammed Kudus scored twice to complete a happy day for the Africans as the Black Stars beat South Korea 3-2. Ghana now needs a point from the game against Uruguay and then hopes South Korea doesn’t beat Portugal by more than two goals.

The game between Ghana and Uruguay is one to watch out for after the 2010 World Cup incident where Luis Suarez handled the goal-bound effort by the Ghanaians and Asamoah Gyan missed the resultant penalty. The grudge match is expected to lay the ghosts to rest.