As the quest for the World Cup title advances to its most crucial stage FIFA says the occasion will be used to deliver a clear message against racism and all forms of discrimination.
Prior to the kickoff of each quarterfinals match the captains of each team will read a message couched under the team ‘Say no to racism’.
First up will be the Netherlands and Brazil in Nelson Mandela Bay. Then Ghana tackle Uruguay in Johannesburg today Friday (02 July).
Tomorrow Saturday, it will be the turn of Argentina and Germany in Cape Town before Paraguay and Spain take centre stage in Johannesburg.
Meanwhile Ghana Football Association Chairman Kwesi Nyantegi says the Ghana Black Stars are out to redeem Africa’s image by qualifying for the semi finals today Friday (02 July).
Ghana’s Black Stars are the only team out of six Africa sides to have advanced to beyond the group stage of the tournament. They also stand a chance to become the first Africans ever to reach the semi finals at this global contest.

A 63nd minute strike by David Villa secured Spain’s 1-0 win against their neighbours Portugal at the Green Point Stadium in Cape Town on Tuesday (June 29).
Paraguay required a penalty shoot out to prevail over Japan in an earlier encounter at the Lotus Versveld Stadium in the capital Tshwane. After the two sides failed to score in 120 minutes of open, fans witness the first penalty shootout of the competition.
Japanese defender Yuichi Komano’s shot rattle the cross bar and missed the target. While Paraguay converted all five spot kicks to prevail 5-3 over Japan.
This is Paraguay’s first appearance in the quarterfinals of the World Cup. With Argentine, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay in accounting for half the quarterfinalists, South Americans have surpassed the record three quarterfinalists from the region during the 1970 World Cup in Mexico.
Spain and Paraguay are through to the quarterfinals. They join Argentina, Germany, Uruguay, Ghana, Brazil, and the Netherlands.
Meanwhile FIFA President Sepp Blatter, on behalf of the world football governing body, has apologised to England and Mexico for critical errors of judgement during seconds round matches in which the two teams lost.
Argentine striker Carlos Tevez scored a goal against Mexico from an offside position, while a goal scored by England’s Frank Lampard against Germany was disallowed. Blatter now admits that FIFA will re-examine a proposal introducing video technology to provide an extra eye for match officials in football.

Brazil’s Selecao weathered the early surge from an athletic Chilean side to ran out 3-0 winners at the Ellis Park Stadium in Johannesburg on Monday.
A header by defender Juan and a strike from Luis Fabiano steered the Selecao to a 2-0 half time lead. Then striker Robinno added a third goal in the second half, to seal Brazil’s emphatic 3-0 victory.
Elsewhere the Netherlands piped a resilient Slovakia 2-1 at the Moses Madiba Stadium in Durban. Arjen Robben put the Netherlands ahead early in the game. Six minutes to the end of regular time Wesley Sneijder doubled the Netherland’s lead. Slovakian captain Robert Vittek scored their consolations goal from a penalty deep into the referee optional time.
Meanwhile Argentine beat Mexico 3-1 in an exciting encounter in Johannesburg on Sunday (27 June) to book their place in the World Cup quarterfinals. This was preceded by the German-England clash in Rustenburg where Germany humiliated England 4-1.
Earlier on Saturday (26 June), Ghana required extra time to beat the United States of America 2-1 and keep hope alive for African supporters at the World Cup.
Today Tuesday (29 June). Paraguay seek to become the fourth South American side to advance to the quarterfinals when they tackle Japan Asia’s only remaining team in the tournament in the capital Tshwane. In Cape Town’s green Point Stadium European champions Spain face an acid test when they come up against their neighbours Portugal.

Ghana’s Black Starts qualified for the second round at the 2010 world Cup in South Africa on Wednesday (23 June).
Despite going down 1-0 to Germany in Johannesburg, Ghana are the first and probably the only African team that will qualify for the knockout phase at the World Cup. In Mbombela Australia staged a surprise comeback beating Serbia 2-1 in the other Group D match. However that was not enough for Australia to progress to the second round. Germany top the group ahead of Ghana, with Serbia ranked third ahead of Australia.
Meanwhile in Group C action in Tshwane, African fans were disappointed when Algeria fell to a late goal by Landon Donovan in the referee’s optional time. The match ended in a 1-0 victory for the United States.  Elsewhere England beat Slovenia 1-0 courtesy of Jermain Defoe’s goal midway through the first half goal in Nelson Mandela Bay. Consequently, the USA top the group followed by England, while third placed Slovenia and Algeria catch the next flight home.
Today Thursday, Denmark plays Japan in Rustenburg as Cameroon tackle Group E leaders the Netherlands in Cape Town. While in Group F Slovenia challenge world champions Italy in Johannesburg ans Paraguay face the stubborn New Zealanders.

Hosts South Africa crashed out of the World Cup but salvaged some national pride with a 2-1 victory over France in Blomfontein/Managung on Tuesday.
This landmark victory was not enough to progress to the knockout phase of the competition as Uruguay piped Mexico 1-0 in the other group a fixture in Rustenburg. Group winners Uruguay, and runners up Mexico progress, while third placed South Africa and France go home.
Nigeria catch the next plane home after they finished at the bottom of Group B with a point from their 2-all draw against South Korea in Durban on Tuesday. Group leader Argentina beat Greece 2-0 in Polokwane. South Korea joins Argentina in the second round.
Meanwhile Africa’s best hopes of advancing to the second round come when Ghana’s Black Stars and Algerian Desert Fox take the field today Wednesday. Group D leaders Ghana tackle Germany in Johannesburg as Serbia and Australia clash in Mbombela. Later in Group C, Algeria play USA in Tshwane and England face Slovenia in Nelson Mandela Bay.
Aware of African expectations, Ghana is taking the challenge of advancing in the competition seriously. “We saw how not just Ghanaians but Africans as a whole felt unhappy with our draw against Australia. So we are aware that we carry Africa’s hopes and will go all out for a victory tonight,” says the Ghana Black Stars Media Officer Henry Asante.