Black Stars Defender Relishing Cristiano Ronaldo Test in World Cup Clash

Black Stars Defender Relishing Cristiano Ronaldo Test in World Cup Clash

Isaac Darko
updated at April 12, 2023 at 7:59 PM
  • Ghana international Gideon Mensah is anticipating a tough clash when Ghana face Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal at the World Cup
  • The Black Stars will open their World Cup campaign against the 2016 European Champions in a Group H encounter
  • Otto Addo's men qualified for the World Cup after urging the Super Eagles of Nigeria in a two-legged playoff earlier this week

Bordeaux defender Gideon Mensah is relishing the prospect of facing Cristiano Ronaldo in the World Cup.

The Ghana international will come face-to-face with the Manchester United superstar when the Black Stars and Portugal face each other in the opening Group H clash.

The Black Stars and the Selecao will meet at Stadium 974 in Doha in a group that also contains former champions Uruguay and Asian giants South Korea.

Gideon Mensah, Cristiano Ronaldo, 2022 World Cup, Ghana, Portugal
Black Stars Defender Gideon Mensah is Relishing Cristiano Ronaldo Test in World Cup Clash. Credit: @ghanaballers
Source: Twitter

Mensah is confident that he will enjoy a great duel with the five-time Ballon d'Or winner when they cross swords on November 24.

“Facing Ronaldo is something I look forward to," Mensah told Joy Sports.
I didn’t meet him at the club side but now I have to chance to meet him in the World Cup which is the highest stage.
I know I will have to do my thing and defend him [Ronaldo] so I make it look like this is a game for me.”

Ghana found themselves in in Pot 4 alongside Cameroon, Canada, Ecuador, Saudi Arabia, Wales/Scotland/Ukraine, Peru/Australia/UAE and Costa Rica/New Zealand.

Otto Addo's men qualified for the World Cup after urging the Super Eagles of Nigeria in a two-legged playoff earlier this week.

Ghana were held to a goalless draw in the first leg in Kumasi at the Baba Yara sports stadium before Thomas Partey's goal in Abuja proved decisive after the 1-1 draw.

Ghana is making her fourth appearance at the Mundial, after appearing at the 2006, 2010 and 2014 editions. The Black Stars missed Russia 2018.

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Ghana qualified for the Mundial after they edged their West African rivals in a nail-biting World Cup last round qualifiers staged over two legs.

The Black Stars are looking to assemble their greatest stars as they vie to become the first African country to at least reach the semi-finals of the Mundial.

Authors
Isaac Darko photo
Isaac Darko
Isaac Darko is a La Liga, Ligue 1 and Bundesliga editor at Sports Brief with a Degree in Journalism and Communications from Ghana Institute of Journalism (2010)