Ghana captain Andre Ayew doesn’t consider Cristiano Ronaldo’s Manchester United exit will have an effect on their World Cup Group H opener towards Portugal as he urged them to be “brave” of their conflict at Stadium 974 on Thursday .
Ronaldo introduced on Tuesday that he had parted methods with the Old Trafford membership by mutual consent after scathing public feedback he made in direction of United’s hierarchy and coach Erik ten Haag. However, Ayew mentioned it shouldn’t be a distraction for Portugal.
“What is happening inside the Portuguese team is not our problem,” the 32-year-old informed reporters on Wednesday. “They are all great professionals playing in top teams and they will be ready for the World Cup, whatever happens.”
Tunisia and Morocco have already managed to include extra staunch European opposition at this World Cup and Ayew mentioned there isn’t a purpose why Ghana cannot do the identical and even higher.
“We go into this recreation with Portugal favorites on paper. But we’ve got to indicate that what occurs on the pitch is extra vital. We are taking part in an enormous aspect with prime gamers, however we place confidence in ourselves and we are going to create issues for them.
“When you might be taking part in the primary recreation of a event it’s by no means decisive. Whatever the case, you continue to have an opportunity to go.
“The first recreation is one the place you possibly can go for it and be courageous. For us to get one thing (from the match) can be a pleasant bonus.
lone survivor
Ayew and his brother Jordan are the one survivors from the Ghana aspect that misplaced 2–1 to Portugal of their remaining group stage encounter in 2014, when Ronaldo scored the winner 10 minutes from full-time.
“Both teams have changed a lot since then. It’s a different game, when we played them in 2014 we had to win by two goals to progress,” mentioned Ayew.
“It will not be the identical recreation or the identical second, it’s utterly totally different. Every recreation has its personal actuality and we are going to attempt to give them a tricky time.
“We all know there may be surprises in these massive tournaments, we simply should be ready. I do not assume anyone is pressured or apprehensive earlier than the video games.
“I am sure when the game comes there will be pressure, if you don’t feel it, you are not human.”
With inputs from TheIndianEXPRESS
