South Africa 2010 was supposed to mark the end of one era and the beginning of another, more promising, for the great Jon Gray Jersey continent of Africa. Finally trusted with hosting the most prestigious competition of the most popular sport on the planet and allocated a generous six nations into the final stages, the tide appeared to be turning for African football. Yet South America have come from seeminglynowhere to steal the show from under their noses.The event itself has been seamle s, with little of the anticipated trouble appearing to materialise and a grand spectacle coughed up by the hosts. Hats off to them, I think most people will be nothing but delighted for a recovering nation such as South Africa to have proved the doubters wrong and succeeded in pulling off the World Cup in style. Although the le s said about the vuvuzelas, the betterYet the African entrants, on the whole, have disappointed. Ivory Coast, Nigeria and Cameroon were all in with achanceof making an impact of sorts on this tournament, but have failed to deliver, the latter somehow defeated in every game they played despite having a decent enough side. South Africa always had an uphill task on their plate but bowed out with enormous credit after slaying the once-great French and losing out only on goal difference, while Algeria simply werent good enough despite Englands best efforts to prove otherwise.Of course, Ghana remain having impre sed throughout the competition, and have become only the third African team to reach a World Cup quarter final. They will perhaps never a greater chance of bettering that record when they face Uruguay on Friday.Meanwhile, acro s the Atlantic, only five places were given to the Tyler Anderson Jersey South Americans. Of the remaining eight teams, this continent makes up half the number, and there is even a chance they could all make the last 4. Indeed, the only South American side to have been eliminated were defeated by their cousin, when Brazil ousted an otherwise impre sive Chile team.Of the remaining teams, Brazil and Argentina were always likely contenders. The former has lacked Greg Holland Jersey the samba football their punters demand, but have replaced this with a highly effective game based on discipline, efficiency and po se sion, with the quality of players still available to finish off opponents when nece sary. Maradonas Argentina, on the other hand, are ble sed with some of the best attacking players in the world. They may be vulnerable at the back, but with Me si, Higuain and Tevez in top form it hardly matters. Indeed, their only obstacle to succe s initially appeared to lie in the form of their ego-inspired manager, but theloathable midget seems to know what hes doing when it matters.Uruguay and Paraguay, however, are surprise packages. Diego Forlan and Luis Suarez have driven the former, the last team to book their place in South Africa, and have looked one of the better Nolan Arenado Jersey teams in the whole tournament. Their 3-0 defeat of South Africa was so one-sided it was painful to watch. Paraguay havent been quite as flamboyant, reaching thelast eightfor the first time in their history courtesy of penalties after a totally uninspiringgoalle s draw with Japan. Yet, they have looked good in flashes, matching Italy in the opening game and brushing Slovakia aside with such ease, and deserve their place here. Spanish opposition may be a game too far for them, however.It has been a painful le son for Europe this time round. Only three teams remain: Germany, Spain and Netherlands, with all three facing very tough tests in order to progre s. Italy, France and England have all fallen early on under heavy expectation, and South America appears to have benefited most from their failings. And deservedly so, as some of the football served up by European sides has been pitiful, a pale shadow of the game played in their native leagues.But this Ian Desmond Jersey was never about Europe. Or South America, for that matter. It was supposed to be Africas party. And now Ghana are flying the flag for acontinent populated by over a billion and tasked with restoring stripped pride. A tall order, indeed, but should the Black Stars win their next match to become the most succe sful African team ever then not even the sporting eloquence of South America will stand in their way. Even a semi-final defeat to Brazil or Netherlands would not interrupt the African party.So good luck to Ghana!