2006 FIFA World Cup: Shocking Revelation of How Ghana Versus Brazil Game Was Fixed

2006 FIFA World Cup: Shocking Revelation of How Ghana Versus Brazil Game Was Fixed

Lukman Mumuni
updated at April 12, 2023 at 8:09 PM
In this article:
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FIFA World Cup
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  • Ghana's 2006 FIFA World Cup round of 16 clash against five times world champions Brazil was reportedly fixed
  • The Black Stars of Ghana lost the game 3-0 to exit the FIFA World Cup after an incredible display against Brazil
  • It was Ghana's first time at the World Cup and they progressed to the round of 16 after victories of Czech Republic and USA

Sixteen years after Ghana exited the FIFA World Cup at the round of 16 stage against Brazil in Germany, it has been revealed that the game was fixed.

Ghana lost 3-0 to Brazil to exit the competition at the second round during their first participation at the Mundial.

However, according to Canadian journalist Declan Hill the game was fixed by betting syndicates in Asia.

Ghana, World Cup, Brazil, Round of 16
Canadian journalist Declan Hill has detailed how Ghana versus Brazil was fixed. Credit: Getty Images
Source: Getty Images

Although Ghana were defeated 3-0, courtesy goals from Ronaldo, Adriano and Ze Roberto, the Black Stars put up a spirited performance.

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How the game was fixed

In an interview with Der Spiegel in 2008, Declan Hill gave an account of how a middleman from Ghana played a role in the match manipulation.

Hill said:

Interestingly enough, it was. Anyone who wanted to could get up close to the Ghanaian players. During the six days I was there, I was in touch with almost all the players, coaches and officials. No problem.
Of course I looked around for the Ghanaian runner, the man from the Kentucky Fried Chicken restaurant in Bangkok, but I never saw him.
It was very sociable in the hotel, and superficially everything seemed to be in order, no sign of the runner, no Asians hanging around. Two days before the match against Brazil in the round of 16, Chin called and said that the deal with someone in the Ghana camp was on, 100 percent, he said. He was absolutely certain Ghana would lose by at least two goals.
The Ghanaians played as though they were putting their whole heart into it, but then there were a number of stupid mistakes: passes didn't succeed, the defense was careless, the team collected three stupid goals.
After the game I was in the stands in Dortmund with tears in my eyes because I was convinced, at least emotionally, that the match had been fixed. I phoned Chin from the stadium: I didn't believe you, but you are a genius. He said: How can I be a genius if I earn so little money with this?

GFA denies match-fixing reports

The Ghana Football Association in a lengthy release rubbished such reports while reporting the issue to the Ghana Police for investigation.

The FA also decided to take legal action against the journalist, Declan Hill.

Ghana to play Brazil in international friendly

Earlier, Sports Brief reported that the Black Stars of Ghana will play Brazil in a pre-World Cup friendly next month.

The four times African champions will engage the five times World Champions on September 23 in Europe, with the venue yet to be confirmed.

The Ghana Football Association confirmed the high-profile friendly on their official website, as the Black Stars prepare for the World Cup in Qatar.

Authors
Lukman Mumuni photo
Lukman Mumuni
Lukman Abdul Mumin is a Sports Journalist based in Accra, Ghana. He has been writing for the past five years. Lukman joined Sports Brief as an Editor for the Local Desk in 2022.
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