Portugal are ranked third in the World Cup but have to pass favorites Brazil to reach the last 16 on June 26.
Second place in Group G may be the best the talented Europeans can hope. This would probably mean a knockout match in the round of 16 with geographical neighbors Spain who are expected to top Group H.
Portugal’s first match is against Ivory Coast on Monday, June 14 has been marred by injury. Their Manchester United winger Nani will not take part in the tournament after a collarbone injury last week in training.
The 23-year-old had scored three goals in 11 qualifying games and enjoyed a productive end of the Premier League season with United. Benfica midfielder Ruben Amorim will replace Nani, who, despite having difficulty finding a first team place at the start of his season at Manchester United, finished strong. Amorim played 24 times for Benfica who won the Portuguese championship.
Real Madrid’s central defender Pepe is also of concern to Portugal. He has been nursing a knee injury since December and has not played in the starting 11 since then. However, both club and national team doctors say he will be fit to play at some point in the competition.
Ivory Coast
There are similar ifs and buts in the Ivory Coast camp. In a warm-up game against Japan on June 4, star player Didier Drogba broke his arm.
Astonishingly, doctors say he could still take part in the competition, as his surgery was successful. He trained on Friday with his arm in a sling and is undergoing an individual training plan.
Drogba has much experience with the English Premier League champions, Chelsea, and has scored 44 goals in 68 games since his debut for the Ivory Coast in 2002.
Sven-Goran Eriksson, manager of Ivory Coast, the Elephants, has much thinking to do as Drogba is a standout team member and was also their captain.
Ivory Coast came through their qualifying stage on top of their group. Portugal had to go to a playoff with Bosnia and Herzegovina. So there is no forgone conclusion to Tuesday’s match at Port Elizabeth’s Nelson Mandela Bay stadium despite Portugal being ranked third and Ivory Coast 27th.
