30.7 C
Accra
Wednesday, March 12, 2025
SportsWorld Cup 2022: Denis Odoi confident Ghana are capable of upsetting Portugal...

Date:

World Cup 2022: Denis Odoi confident Ghana are capable of upsetting Portugal in opener

Black Stars defender Denis Odoi is confident his side can upset former European champions Portugal in their 2022 World Cup opener on Thursday.

Coach Otto Addo’s side will begin their campaign against Cristiano Ronaldo’s side before taking on South Korea and Uruguay in the other Group H matches.

Black Stars are the lowest-ranked team at the tournament following a poor 2021 Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon where the Stars exited at the group stage, failing to win a single game.

“Everyone knows Portugal players are of a high level,” he told the BBC World Service.

“We still have to play the game. It is not like Portugal has won this game. I am sure they are aware of that.

“If you look at the performances of other African counties, and Saudi Arabia [against Argentina], you still have to play the game.”

Asked about how the new players are settling in including Athletic Bilbao forward Inaki Williams, he added, “We’ve used this last week to fit everybody in and to get used to the system and practice the defensive and offensive battles.”

“And everybody gets to know each other a little bit better on the pitch.”

Ghana are making a record 4th World Cup appearance in Qatar having previously played in the 2006, 2010 and 2014 in Germany, South Africa and Brazil respectively.

Only three sides from the continent have ever progressed to the quarter-finals; Cameroon in 1990, Senegal in 2002, and Ghana in 2010.

Ghana will be hoping to progress from the group stage at this year’s tournament.

Black Stars exited the group stage at the 2014 edition in Brazil after a slow start to the tournament.

[forminator_poll id="710479"]

Latest stories

I will win Artiste of the Year award once i get nominated – Beeztrap KOTM

Ghanaian musician Beeztrap KOTM has declared that he will...

Young Don, Twene Jonas ‘trade blows’ over US citizenship

US-based Ghanaian social commentator Young Don has hit back...

Patrice Motsepe retains seat as CAF President

South African billionaire Patrice Motsepe has secured another term...

“Liar, Judas!” – Shatta Wale fires Amin Adam over betting tax comments

The recent parliamentary discussions on the 2025 budget have...

Free sanitary pads initiative to spur growth of Ghana’s private sector – Trade Minister

Minister for Trade and Agro Business, Elizabeth Ofosu-Agyare, has...

Medical staff face trial over football legend Maradona’s death

The long-awaited trial of the medical team that cared...

GOLDBOD is a cover-up for corruption, mismanagement – Amin Adam

Former Finance Minister Dr. Mohammed Amin Adam has criticized...

Related stories

Patrice Motsepe retains seat as CAF President

South African billionaire Patrice Motsepe has secured another term...

Medical staff face trial over football legend Maradona’s death

The long-awaited trial of the medical team that cared...

Augustine Ahinful kicks against multiple management committee for national teams

Former Ghanaian footballer Augustine Ahinful has raised concerns about...

2026 WCQ: Black Stars squad to be announced this week

Black Stars head coach Otto Addo is set to...

Man Utd plans to construct a £2bn stadium with a 100,000-seat capacity

Manchester United have revealed plans to build the largest...

Teshie Mcdan Sports Complex to host Women’s FA Cup semis

Ghana Football Association (GFA) has selected the Teshie McDan...

I was very aware of the pressures of coaching Black Stars – Chris Hughton

Former Ghana head coach Chris Hughton has admitted that...