adminJOHANNESBURG. – Africa football great Kalusha Bwalya says Ghana’s Black Stars can surprise fancied Portugal at the 2022 Qatar World Cup.
Bwalya said this when giving his expert analysis on SuperSport TV in the build up to the World Cup kick-off yesterday.
Ghana open their Group H campaign with a dance against the Cristiano Ronaldo-led Portugal, who are among the pre-tournament favourites.
The former PSV star observed that African teams often struggle at the World Cup due to inferiority complex. “Sometimes, we always think that the Europeans are very high, that they are supreme,” Bwalya said.
“We have that defeatist attitude as Africans to look at them and say: ‘oh we are playing against Portugal’ ‘oh we are playing against France.”
The Zambian legend said Ghana should focus on their strength and have self-belief instead of giving Portugal too much respect.
“Ghana is very strong; they can go there and dish it out against the best in the world. I feel that they have a chance in the first game to get a result,” he said.
The former Football Association of Zambia president stressed the importance of Ghana’s winning start to the competition.
“It is only three games and the first game is very important in a tournament,” Bwalya said.
“If you lose the first game then hand brakes are out. You expose yourself, you go to the next game, you risk everything then you are on your way back.” Ghana coach Otto Addo said he was encouraged by the Black Stars showing in the last warm up against Switzerland. – KickOff.com
Mathew Masinge
Online Reporter