Club's first World Cup players go head-to-head in South Africa

Richard Kingson celebrated his 32^nd birthday in style on Sunday, keeping a clean-sheet and helping his Ghana side to a 1-0 win against Serbia in the Black Stars' opening game of the World Cup.

With club team-mate Vladimir Stojkovic in the opposite goal the two became Wigan Athletic's first representatives to play in the World Cup, and after Mario Melchiot the first players to represent the club at a major international tournament since Euro 2008.

A tight game it wasn't until the 84^th minute that either could be beaten, when Asamoah Gyan fired Ghana into the lead from the penalty spot, and although neither 'keeper was fully tested throughout the 90 minutes Kingson did make a vital save to prevent Milos Krasic finding the back of the net and keep the scores level.

After the final whistle the Ghanaian stopper reflected on a special day;

"It was a fantastic win and my team-mates dedicated itto me because it's my birthday," he said to FIFA.com.

"I couldn't have had a better present and what happened today means a lot to me. I'll cherish this special day forever.

"It means a lot to me on a personal level and I know that our team spirit played a big part in us winning the game."

Not only did the win give Ghana a fantastic chance of progressing past the group stage, particularly with Group D's other game being so emphatically won by Germany over Australia, but it also brought the first win of the tournament for any of the African nations, something Kingson is extremely proud of;

"This is Africa's World Cup for sure," said the 'keeper.

"It's on our continent and it's an honour to have won this game for all the people who live on it. And there'll be more victories to come, let me assure you.

"Ghanaian and African people in general live and breathe football and they do so with a lot of passion and enthusiasm. Hearing all those fans out there was incredible."