Akuoko Exclusive : Former Ghana Premier League center-back Emmanuel Akuoko has outlined three important things the Black Stars must do in order to better deal with the world-class attack of Portugal on Thursday.
Ghana defeated Switzerland in their final pre-World Cup friendly last Thursday in Abu Dhabi but the Portuguese hit Nigeria for four later that day to send a strong signal to the Black Stars defenders.
“If you look at the defenders we took to Qatar everyone is capable of getting the job done at the back. Mohammed Salisu , Daniel Amartey , Alidu Seidu , Alexander Djiku and Joseph Aidoo ; all these guys are up there” Akuoko told GhanaSportsMarket.com in a wide-ranging interview.
Quizzed about his back four preference , the Aduana Stars legend who won two league titles with the Ogya Side responded :
“I prefer Otto Addo to go for three defenders at the back ; Amartey has been very consistent , Djiku and Salisu is always a strong performer. Then the two wingbacks should be Tariq Lamptey and Baba Rahman. I don’t know if the coach will go this way but that is how we can be more solid at the back in my opinion”.
Coming up against Cristiano Ronaldo , Bernado Silva , Bruno Fernandes and co on Thursday , Akuoko who contested over 200 games for Aduana Stars between 2009 and 2022 set out the three C’s the Black Stars defenders need in order to handle the Europeans.
“Communication , Confidence and Concentration. These are the most important things our defenders should have against Portugal. The likes of Ronaldo can punish you at any time if you lose concentration even for few seconds”
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