2014 World Cup: Time for fringe players to step up to the plate in Sulley Muntari's absence

Published on: 25 June 2014
2014 World Cup: Time for fringe players to step up to the plate in Sulley Muntari's absence
Afriyie Acquah could make his World Cup debut in Muntari's absence against Portugal

Ghana's assistant coach Maxwell Konadu has charged the other players to step up to make a name for themselves in the absence of influential midfielder Sulley Muntari for the must-win game against Portugal on Thursday.

The AC Milan star is suspended for the final Group G clash of the 2014 World Cup after receiving his second booking of the tournament in the thrilling 2-2 draw with Germany.

Muntari has been easily one of Ghana's best players so far in the World Cup being staged in Brazil.

His solid mopping up duties and penetrating passes in the Ghanaian midfield has been exemplary but will now be missing for the crucial game against Portugal.

The 28-year-old's suspension has seen the Black Stars technical team haggling to find a perfect replacement for the must-win game on Thursday in Brasilia.

Assistant coach Maxwell Konadu says it is time for the other fringe players to step up to the plate in Muntari's absence.

“We will all miss Muntari because he has been doing very well for the team since the competition started,” he said.

“He is one of the main players we rely on but we have other good players as well.

“Since he is not playing, we need to encourage the other players who are training well and all that to step in.”

Ghana will advance to the next stage of the competition with a comprehensive win over Portugal while hoping Germany secure any kind of win against the USA in the other group game to be played simultaneously in Manaus.

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