Ghanaian international, Samuel Inkoom has given the Black Stars the tips and guidelines to beat or hold Portugal and the other opponents in Group H.
The four-time African champions return to the biggest stage after beating Nigeria during the play-offs and will go head to head against the Portuguese national team on Thursday.
Inkoom, who took part in Ghana’s last World Cup appearance in Brazil urged the Stars to remain focused to shock the world.
Asked, can one of the teams in Group H surprise the Black Stars? he said: “With the kind of team we have I don’t think so,” he told Ghanasportspage.com.
In addition, he stated: “We have a very young team and young players who can run that’s what I love so much. I have so much confidence in this team and I love the technical team as well.
“For the first time you can see that the Black Stars are playing a good football even though sometimes we the fans want the result. The result is very important but also if you get the result and fail to enjoy the game that is another problem. You get the game right, play good football and at the same time you win. The little advice I will give to them is that; to be honest they have to be tactical discipline on the pitch. I love the game they played against Switzerland. Is one of the best games and if they can do the same against Portugal, Uruguay and South Korea why not? We have the chance to even reach the final because is not club side. Is individual players that are representing their national teams.
“If they focus very well, listen to the technical team I think we can also surprise the whole world as well.
He further reacted to the game against Portugal, claiming, “There is no fear. Everybody knows what Ronaldo can do. They are two [Ronaldo and Messi] and everybody knows them and I believe that the players that we have also want to make a name. They are good team and good players. They also want to get good contracts. Some of them want to renew their contracts, get good contract as well and play good teams so I believe this is the time they also want to show that if you are Cristiano Ronaldo, maybe am Lamptey, Baba Rahman, maybe Afriyie Barnieh. This is what am also thinking about and we have to also give the game to them. We have to run ninety minutes. If we do that I don’t think that Portugal have the upper hand against us.
“When you check the Saudi Arabian team they were winning every second balls so if you manage to win every ball like they way we played against Switzerland, for Portugal they would never have a chance but if we lose focus it will be like the game between Senegal and Netherlands. They have to stay focused and if they stay focused I think we can get win or draw,” Inkoom disclosed.
Ghana on their debut at the 2006 World Cup in Germany lost to Italy in the first group game, where Coach Otto was part of the squad.
Having picked up the reins from there, Otto, a former international is aware of how crucial their game with Portugal will be to their campaign in a tough Group H which also includes Uruguay and South Korea.
