Portugal recalled Pepe for their match against Ghana Thursday as they battle for a last-16 spot while the Africans made changes after Sulley Muntari and Kevin-Prince Boateng were kicked out of the squad.

Real Madrid defender Pepe is one of four changes to the side captained by Cristiano Ronaldo for the final Group G game after missing the United States match through suspension, while Beto continues in goal.

Muntari and Boateng have been indefinitely suspended from Ghana's World Cup squad after bust-ups with management, the Ghana Football Association said on Thursday.

Muntari, whjo was suspended for this tie anyway, is accused of attacking a member of the management team while Boateng is said to have verbally abused national team coach Kwesi Appiah, the GFA said on its website.

Appiah brought in forward Majeed Waris and midfielder Emmanuel Badu.

Germany and the United States, who play in Recife at the same time, each have four points in Group G while Portugal and Ghana have one apiece.

afp