Ghana striker Asamoah Gyan has dedicated his winning goal in the Black Stars' 2-1 extra-time win over the USA to book a place in the quarter-finals of the World Cup to the whole of Africa.

Ghana are the only African nation left in the tournament and only the third side from the continent to reach the final eight.

"I am the happiest man in the world," Gyan said after sealing a clash against Uruguay at Soccer City Stadium in Johannesburg on July 2.

"In 2006 we made the second round, now we have gone a step further. We've made everybody proud. Not Ghana alone, but all of Africa."

Ghana forward Dede Ayew reiterated Gyan's wish to carry the torch for the host continent and said: "We're very disappointed there were no African teams with us. We must fight, not just for us, but for the other teams that are not here."

USA boss Bob Bradley described the loss as "a stinging, tough defeat" and said that his side, which battled back to cancel out Kevin-Prince Boateng's opening strike, just couldn't do it a second time after Gyan's goal.

"We had already expended a lot of energy at that time," Bradley said. "I think we put ourselves in trouble with giving up the early goal again."