Ghana winger Ishmael Yartey says Portugal is not a fearsome side as others would make many to believe after the Africans were drawn against the European side in the group phase of the 2014 FIFA World Cup.
The Black Stars will battle the National Team of the Shields in group G’s final game in Brasilia on June 26.
But they must first negotiate their ties against ‘old friends’ USA and Germany at Natal and Fortaleza respectively.
The group has been touted as the ‘group of death’ particularly because of Portugal and especially a certain Cristiano Ronaldo.
Ghanaian local fans have remained cautiously optimistic ahead of the tournament, but Yartey who plays for Swiss side Sion FC, admits the enormity of the task but insists the pedigree of Portugal is being overblown out of proportion.
“We are in a tough group. It’s tough because all the teams in the group are capable of qualifying to the next stage,†Yartey said
“There is no small team or country in today’s modern game. That’s why we have upsets and stuff.
“They (Portugal) have fine players but I don’t think we should be afraid of them.
They are not as dangerous as many are making us feel. They are good side, no two ways about it but we can match them."