The ruling party in South Africa has congratulated Ghana for being the first African team in the Fifa World Cup to go through to the next round.

The African National Congress says Ghana represents the entire continent by proceeding to the knock-out stage.

A day after the hosts South Africa was ousted from the tournament, Ghana advanced to meet the U.S. at Rustenburg Saturday despite losing 1-0 to Germany on Wednesday.

"In the same vain, we also like to congratulate all other teams who are participating in this tournament and who have made it to the next round,” says Jackson Mthembu, ANC national spokesman in a statement Wednesday night.

“We also appreciate that this is only the beginning and not the end. Well-done Ghana for doing Africa proud and all of us as Africans proud,''

Ghana will play the United States on Saturday in the second round.