Boateng won't be under pressure against Germany: Ghana coach

Updated on: 23 June,2010 07:23 AM IST |
Agencies |

Ghana coach Rajevac says medio who injured captain Michael Ballack in FA Cup final will be able to cope with the pressure of facing off against the Germans in key clash tonight

Ghana coach Rajevac says medio who injured captain Michael Ballack in FA Cup final will be able to cope with the pressure of facing off against the Germans in key clash tonight

Ghana coach Milovan Rajevac has backed Kevin-Prince Boateng to be strong enough to cope with what could be an emotionally-charged World Cup clash with Germany tonight.

The Group D match at Soccer City also throws up the possibility of Boateng coming up against his half-brother Jerome, a Germany international who has reportedly broken off contact with Kevin-Prince over the Ballack incident.

However, Black Stars boss Rajevac believes his player has the fortitude to come through what could be a trying evening, with a place in the last 16 at stake for both sides.

The Serbian said: "We have talked about this, the media created this problem. Even if there had been a problem it lies behind us. Kevin-Prince Boateng will do his best, he will focus, he will not be provoked, he is a professional. They may be brothers off the pitch but on the pitch they are not brothers.

"He will do his best and play without any pressure and play his normal game in order to reach a good result."
Meanwhile, Germany's general manager Oliver Bierhoff has also tried to calm tempers ahead of the encounter. "We mustn't lose our cool," said Bierhoff, who scored in Germany's Euro '96 triumph over the Czech Republic. "We will not be playing against Kevin-Prince Boateng, but against Ghana."

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