Ghana Coach Otto Addo has no injury worries
Ghana line up
Ghana manager Otto Addo has no injury concerns heading into Thursday’s World Cup 2022 Group H opener with Portugal at Stadium 974 in Doha, writes Ben Knapton for Sports Mole.
The Black Stars picked up no issues in their impressive 2-0 friendly win over Switzerland last week, which they achieved with some big names warming the bench.
Keeping Cristiano Ronaldo and co at bay will be the responsibility of number one goalkeeper Lawrence Ati-Zigi, who plies his trade at club level with St Gallen in Switzerland.
Southampton’s Mohammed Salisu and Strasbourg’s Alexander Djiku are battling to join Daniel Amartey in the backline, and the latter’s greater experience could see him get the nod.
Two England-based full-backs, Tariq Lamptey and Baba Rahman, who represent Brighton & Hove Albion and Reading, respectively, will likely complete the Black Stars’ four-man defense.
Thomas Partey was rested for the win over Switzerland, but the Arsenal lynchpin should be a straight swap for Elisha Owusu in the middle as Lens man Salis Abdul Samed holds his place.
Only one of the Ayew brothers may start this one, with Jordan Ayew in line to feature on the left, but Andre Ayew – who now represents Qatari side Al-Sadd – could be edged out by Kamaldeen Sulemana.
Ajax star Mohammed Kudus will expect to fill the hole behind Athletic Bilbao striker Inaki Williams, who prepares to spearhead the attack as he searches for his first international goal for Ghana.
Ghana’s possible starting lineup: Ati-Zigi; Lamptey, Amartey, Djiku, Baba; Partey, Abdul Samed; Sulemana, Kudus, J. Ayew; Williams
