Portugal is a 'one man team' says ex-Ghana captain Stephen Appiah

Published on: 31 March 2014
Portugal is a 'one man team' says ex-Ghana captain Stephen Appiah
Cristiano Ronaldo will be leading Portugal against Ghana at the World Cup in Brazil

By Ameenu Shardow

Follow on Twitter @alooameenu

Former Ghana captain Stephen Appiah believes Portugal is a ‘one man team’ with their talismanic captain Cristiano Ronaldo as the main focus.

The Black Stars will come up against the 2006 World Cup semi finalists in the final group game at June’s World Cup in Brazil.

Some however believe the Portuguese team is heavily reliant on Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo and thus lack the attribute of an all-round team of which Ghana can exploit at the World Cup.

Ronaldo, the reigning best player in the world has hit a rich vein of form for both club and country with some few months to the commencement of the tournament in Brazil.

He is largely credited for Portugal’s qualification to the World Cup after an excellent individual display in the playoffs to ditch Sweden.

But ex Ghana captain Stephen Appiah agrees to the tag of a ‘one-man-team’ for coach Paulo Bento’s side despite the presence of other acclaimed world class players in Joao Moutinho, Raul Meireles, Pepe, Nani and Hugo Almeida.

“He [Cristiano Ronaldo] always makes the difference in the team,” Appiah told GHANAsoccernet.com.

“We saw what he did against Sweden [in the World Cup playoffs] so you can judge for yourself.”

Ghana is making a third appearance at the World Cup finals this term and will face USA and Germany before taking on Portugal in the final Group G game.

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