Coach Ratomir Dujkovic celebrated a "historic moment" for Ghana as they booked their ticket to the World Cup knockout stages for the first time.

A 22nd-minute strike from Haminu Dramani, as well as a controversial 45th-minute spot-kick from Stephen Appiah, saw the Black Stars march through to the last 16 after Clint Dempsey had equalised for the US.

Dujkovic was euphoric after the win.

"We made 20 million people in Ghana happy today," he said.

"It was a very tough match, very nervous but we are satisfied that we have done it. The US were pressing a lot and we were thinking about the score in the other game."

Dujkovic said he was not surprised by his team's performance.

"For me it is not a surprise. I have always said that our target was the semi-final," he claimed.

"Any team who will face us now will have to suffer because of the determination and the performance we put on today."

The coach also hailed goalscorer Dramani as the "future of Ghana".

"He is just 19 years. He is very fast but without experience. He4s a great player," the coach added.

USA coach Bruce Arena bemoaned Markus Merk's controversial decision to award Ghana a spot-kick in the second minute of injury time at the end of the first half.

"That's a big call that was a big part of the game," he said.

"We were in control of the game and then we were put into a decision to chase the game. It is very disappointing.

"That is a tough one to deal with."

Television replays revealed Oguchi Onyewu made only very little contact with Razak Pimgong.

"There is always contact on the field," claimed Arena. "There would have been 15 penalties if you make this calls.

"But for us it is over. That is part of the game."