For many Ghanaians, one word has dominated the build-up to their final Group H match against Uruguay at the World Cup: revenge.
A reunion with the South Americans and in particular Luis Suarez, who denied the Black Stars a chance of history in South Africa in 2010, gives the West Africans a chance to lay old ghosts to rest.
Twelve years ago at Soccer City in Johannesburg, with their quarter-final locked at 1-1 deep into extra time, Suarez kept out Dominic Adiyiah’s header with an infamous goalline handball, preventing Ghana from scoring a winner which would have made them the first African side to reach the last four.
Asamoah Gyan missed the resulting penalty as his effort clipped the top of the crossbar, and TV cameras captured Suarez, who had been sent off, celebrating that miss gleefully before Uruguay won 4-2 on spot-kicks.
That night a cross-continental rivalry was born – with the second chapter set to play out in Qatar’s Al Janoub Stadium on Friday (15:00 GMT).
The anticipation has been building ever since April, when the two sides were drawn together.
“The whole world knows what happened [in 2010],” Gyan, 37, told the BBC World Service.
“When the draw was made and they saw Uruguay in Ghana’s group the only thing that came into mind was revenge. Ghanaians want revenge.
“Personally, I just sat back and smiled because I understand how the game goes.”
Former Ghana defender John Paintsil, another member of the side 12 years ago, recalls the support the Black Stars received during the first World Cup finals held in Africa.
“Before we played Uruguay, the whole of Africa was with us,” he told BBC Sport Africa.
“Even the world was supporting Ghana. It was historic, the first time Ghana reached the World Cup quarter-finals.
“When I saw the draw, Ghana against Uruguay, it was exciting. I will say it will be a payback time to get out from the group. We must beat Uruguay at all costs.”
Ex-Ghana striker Kwesi Appiah added: “What they did to us in South Africa was crazy.
“It feels like we, and African football, were robbed of an historic journey. It just burned deeper than anything you can imagine.”
