Ghana captain Andre Ayew doesn’t imagine Cristiano Ronaldo’s messy exit from Manchester United may have any bearing on their World Cup Group H opener in opposition to Portugal as he urged his aspect to be “courageous” of their conflict at Stadium 974 on Thursday.
Ronaldo introduced he had parted methods with the Previous Trafford membership by mutual consent on Tuesday following scathing public feedback he had made in the direction of the United hierarchy and coach Erik ten Hag. Nevertheless, Ayew stated this shouldn’t be a distraction for Portugal.
“It isn’t our downside what is occurring inside the Portuguese staff,” the 32-year-old advised reporters on Wednesday. “They’re all nice professionals enjoying at prime groups and they are going to be prepared for the World Cup, no matter else is occurring.”
Tunisia and Morocco have already managed to carry extra fancied European opposition at this World Cup and Ayew stated there was no motive why Ghana can’t do the identical and even higher.
“We go into this recreation with Portugal’s favorites on paper. However we’ve to indicate that it’s extra essential what occurs on the pitch. We’re enjoying an enormous aspect with prime gamers, however we imagine in ourselves and can make it very tough for them,” he stated.
“If you end up enjoying the primary recreation of a event it’s by no means the decisive one. No matter occurs, you continue to have an opportunity to undergo.
“The primary recreation is one the place you may go for it and be courageous. It will be an ideal bonus for us to get one thing (from the match).”
LONE SURVIVORSAyew and his brother Jordan are the one survivors from the Ghana aspect that misplaced 2-1 to Portugal of their closing group stage conflict in 2014, when Ronaldo scored the winner 10 minutes from fulltime.
“The 2 groups have modified loads since then. It’s a totally different recreation, once we performed them in 2014 we needed to win by two targets to advance,” Ayew stated.
“It isn’t the identical recreation, or the identical second, it’s utterly totally different. Each recreation has its personal realities and we’ll attempt to give them a tricky time.
“Everyone knows in these massive tournaments there are surprises that may occur, we simply have to be prepared. I don’t really feel anybody is pressured or has anxiousness earlier than the sport.
“I’m certain when the sport comes there will probably be strain, in the event you don’t really feel it, you aren’t human.”