The spokesperson of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), Henry Asante Twum, says the team is in high spirits ahead of its Group H World Cup opener against Portugal.

Speaking in an interview on The Probe on Sunday, he disclosed that following the team's victory over Switzerland in its last friendly encouter, the morale of the boys has seen a significant boost.

According to him, due to the team's lack lustre performance in recent times, there was an air of uncertainty about its chances against Portugal.

He however noted that after defeating Switzerland in Abu Dhabi last Thursday, Otto Addo's men have picked up the needed inspiration to face the Portuguese at the Stadium 974 in Qatar on Thursday.

"Everything is on course, we do not have any cause for alarm. All the players are in good condition; all of them are fully fit.

They have been training since we started camping and I can say that based on what I've seen, we have 3 more days to continue our preparations for the first game against Portugal, and we will be very ready for that encounter", he noted.

The 2022 FIFA World Cup finally kicked off on Sunday afternoon in Qatar with an opening fixture between host Qatar and the Tricolors of Ecuador.

After the end of 90 minutes, Ecuador managed to secure all three points in a 2-0 win over the host nation; making Qatar the first host nation to lose a World Cup opener.

This historical victory for Ecuador seems to have whet the appetites of football lovers who are looking for a tournament of surprises in Qatar.

According to reports, the fever in Qatar is high, with fans looking forward to other engaging fixtures including Ghana's Group H opener against Cristiano Ronaldo's men.

Otto Addo's charges, who arrived in Qatar in smashing smocks and kente sashes a few days ago, will be seeking to spoil the party for the Portuguese who are currently ranked ninth in the world.

For a Black Stars squad who are the least ranked in the competition, head coach, Otto Addo still believes his side can give a good account of themselves in their opening Group H fixture.

Meanwhile, former President, John Mahama, has urged the senior national team to give off their best in the tournament in Qatar.

The former head of state took to his Facebook wall last week to inject a dose of encouragement into the Black Stars.

In his motivational Facebook post, Mahama noted that since time immemorial, the Black Stars have given a good account of themselves on the global scene.

According to him, the team’s ‘unique brand of football’ has always amazed the world, hence his belief in the chances of the team in the mundial in Qatar.

Touting the achievements of the Stars in recent times, he called on Ghanaians to rally behind the team, as they face the world a week away from today.

“The players and the technical team have done their part by answering the national call once again and have exhibited the willingness to fight for the nation.

It must be our patriotic duty as citizens to give them our full support, and as Ghanaians we must see this as a call to national duty”, portions of the post read.