Ghana coach Otto Addo says his side have to be brave when they meet up against Portugal on Thursday in a Group H opener at Stadium 974.

The Black Stars can draw inspiration from the performances of the underdogs against the big boys in the tournament.

“We have the quality to compete with them and surely we have to be very brave to go into this match and we have to be self confident. Our players are ready. We want to play football but we also have to defend well,” Addo said in a pre-match press conference ahead of the clash against Portugal.

“As you can see from the previous matches all the matches are very very close and could have turned to each direction and I expect this game to be also like this.”

Currently Portugal have a lot of drama in their camp involving their star player Cristiano Ronaldo who recently terminated his contract with Manchester United. But Addo seems not to be bothered by that. He is rather more focused on the task at hand.

“We are not bothered by that. It’s not our problem. We are focused with the task at hand. Everybody wants to win. No matter what happens, it’s a big stage, a big game at the World Cup level, so I don’t think normally this can disrupt anybody.”

Ghana captain Andre Ayew believes that the Black Stars have the right motivation to shine in Qatar.

“For me, I believe that the squad we have the quality to really impress and show the World what we are capable of,” Said Ayew.

“Every tournament is different and every tournament has its own excitement. The World Cup is the one that we always dream to play as young kids so for me it’s unbelievable for me to be here to play a third World Cup.”

Ghana’s coach Otto Addo (L) and midfielder  Andre Ayew attend a press conference at the Qatar National Convention Center (QNCC) in Doha on November 23, 2022, on the eve of the Qatar 2022 World Cup football match between Portugal and Ghana. (Photo by Khaled DESOUKI / AFP) (Photo by KHALED DESOUKI/AFP via Getty Images)

“But most important is to be able to perform on the pitch individually and collectively.”

Ghana are placed in Group H alongside Portugal, Uruguay and South Korea and will be looking to make history once more and qualify to the round of sixteen.

Kelvin Trudeau Musako

Football Journalist | TotalEnergies AFCON 2021 Photographer | Media Officer - Kabwe Warriors FC | Graphic Designer | Videographer