Portugal captain asks teammates to take the West Africans as a serious threat

Soccer Football – FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 – Portugal Training – Al Shahaniya SC Training Facilities, Al-Shahaniya, Qatar – November 20, 2022, Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo during training REUTERS/John Sibley

By Rasheed Adewuyi 

Portugal captain Christiano Ronaldo has called on his teammates not to underrate the Black Stars of Ghana when both sides clash in their opening 2022 world cup group H encounter on Thursday.

Speaking at the press conference heralding the match yesterday in Qatar, Ronaldo said the best way to beat the Ghanaians is to see them as a potential threat to Portugal’s chances of qualifying from the group, adding that winning your first game at the Mundial gives you the confidence to approach the next match.

“It will be a tough match against Ghana because we beat them in 2014, and I am sure they will be coming on a revenge mission. I’ve watched them play a few times. They’re very good on the ball and also fast at the same time,” he said.

He added, ” With the level of our preparation and the quality of players in our team, I think we have the chance to win the three points.”

Ronaldo, who pulled out of Portugal versus Nigeria’s last world cup friendly match due to a stomach bug, is back in training. The former Real Madrid FC of Spain forward took part in the team’s morning and evening training ahead of the group H opener.

Portugal defeated Nigeria 4-0, while Ghana beat Switzerland 2-0 in their last friendly matches before the world world.

Portugal triumphed 2-1 when both sides met at the 2014 world cup in Brazil.