The Deputy Minister for Youth and Sports, Mr Evans Opoku Bobie has expressed confidence about the Black Stars’ prospects in the upcoming 2022 FIFA World Cup which will be held in Qatar, in November 2022.
He made this statement during an interview on Atinka TV’s “kick-off sports show” on Wednesday to update the public on issues in the sports sector.
He disclosed that the recent friendlies between Brazil and Nicaragua were preparatory platforms for the head coach to get a firm assessment of the team and identify the team’s gaps before the tournament.
Mr Opoku Bobie stated that, with Portugal, South Korea, and Uruguay as opponents in Group H, Ghana would have a challenging assignment to advance.
He also stressed the importance of playing pre-tournament friendlies to prepare the players for the competition.
“Every country that has qualified for the world cup is ready. Whether you like it or not since you have qualified, you are ready except to say you have pulled out but there is a punishment for that. I think Ghana is ready for the world cup,” he stated.
He explained that it would take more than two games for the players, Ghana Football Association, coach, and technical team to effectively prepare the side.
Mr Bobie stated that since the competition starts in November, the team has the entire month of October to step up preparations, adding that, he was confident that before the competition starts, the team would be well-prepared and will fly the Ghanaian flag high in the international competition.
He urged Ghanaians to lower their expectations, adding that the coach had paid close attention to Ghanaians’ analysis of the game against Brazil, which was evident in the team’s performance against Nicaragua in the second game.
The Black stars’ next friendly would be against Switzerland on Thursday 17 November 2022 at the Baniyas Club Stadium in Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates.
Priscilla Nimako, ISD