Ghana defender Harrison Afful has sent an encouraging message
to Ghanaians back home saying the team would spring up a positive result
against Portugal on Thursday to brighten their chances into the knockout stage
of the World Cup.
The Black Stars take on their European counterparts in the
final group G hurdle at the 73,000 capacity Estadio Nacional in Brasilia on
Thursday June 26. A game which will probably determine Ghana’s continued
existence in the competition.
The Black Stars who lost their opening game 2-1 to the USA
and drew 2-2 with group favorite Germany in their second group game are set to
face a tough challenge from a Portuguese side led by the reigning World
footballer of the year Cristiano Ronaldo.
Ghana however notwithstanding will have to count on a confirmatory
result between Germany and the USA to determine her qualification to the next
round as a draw between the two will not favor the Stars.
Afful, 27, who put up a splendid performance against Germany,
is highly optimistic the team will record a positive result against the 2006
semi-finalists.
“We did great four years ago and I know Ghanaians are
expecting a lot from us. We are not going to let them down. We want to reach
very far. And to reach that far we have to take this Portugal game very
serious. So we are fully prepared and
ready for the battle, and we are surely going to deliver”, the Esperance player
affirmed.
Ghana for the third time will be in quest of advancing to the
knockouts stages after doing so in their two previous World Cups. Getting to
the last 16 and 8 in 2006 and 2010 respectively.
By
Frank Darkwah
Follow Frank Darkwah on twitter.@Blaqqkoffi
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