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While Nigeria is figuring out ways to punish its national soccer team, Ghana's government is honoring theirs. The entire team will be recognized as national heroes and will be awarded $20,000 each for their performance during the 2010 World Cup. Despite losing to Uruguay in the quarterfinals, the team received a heroes' welcome home.
"You deserved to be honored because you have made Ghana and indeed Africa proud by your performance," said Ghana President John Evans Atta Mills. "You did not win the World Cup, but through your performance, you carried high the flags of not only Ghana but Africa."
Ghana's loss to Uruguay was a heartbreaking one. A possible winning goal, breaking a 1-1 tie, was blocked by a handball by Uruguay. With no goaltending foul in soccer, Ghana was awarded a penalty kick. Asamoah Gyan missed the kick, and the game was decided by penalty shots, which Uruguay won 4-2.
Former United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan wrote a letter to the team admitting that he was heartbroken by the loss, but wrote, "You won because you brought us all together. The lasting trophy to take away from the tournament is this incredible moment of unity."
Check out the video of the team's arrival home:
