Muntari - Points are key

Pompey midfielder happy to win ugly

By Joe Drabble   Last updated: 22nd February 2008

Sulley Muntari

Muntari: European hopes

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Sulley Muntari is prepared to sacrifice style for results as he returns to action for Portsmouth on Saturday after international duty with Ghana.

The Pompey midfielder is eyeing a Uefa Cup place at worst come May, and the 23-year-old revealed he is determined to avenge his Africa Cup of Nations heartache by finishing the domestic season with a flourish.

"I'm completely focused here again," said Muntari, after Ghana were knocked out in the semi-finals of the tournament they were hosting.

"The Nations Cup has gone now and I think the (Ghanaian) people were happy enough with our performance in the end, even though I don't think many realise just what pressure there is being the home country.

Admiration

"We knew everything was up to us to bring them success but I just wanted to go to the final and win the cup for Ghana and now that's how I feel about getting into Europe with Portsmouth."

Portsmouth face relegation strugglers Sunderland on Saturday, and Muntari revealed his admiration for the Black Cats boss Roy Keane ahead of the clash.

"He is one of my heroes," said Muntari. "Him and people like Patrick Vieira are who I look up to.

"We can get the UEFA Champions League or Uefa Cup spot depending on how things go - of course we'll aim for fourth place but we don't always have to be the best team technically as long as we remember that winning games is the most important thing of all."