Former U-20 AFCON and World Cup champion Emmanuel Agyemang Badu has urged the current Ghana U-20 team, led by Coach Desmond Ofei, to approach the upcoming tournament with confidence, insisting that “every team is beatable.”
Speaking ahead of the team’s opening match at the U-20 Africa Cup of Nations in Suez, Badu acknowledged the tough nature of the group but stressed Ghana’s pedigree in youth football.
Well, it’s a very difficult group, but they are beatable, every team, every country is beatable ; especially when they’re playing against Ghana. Opponents always want to prove a point against us, not out of fear, but to make themselves proud.
Ghana’s opening match is against DR Congo, and Badu believes the Congolese will pose a stern challenge.
U-20 AFCON: “It’s a very difficult group, but every team is beatable at the tournament, we have to get the first game right by winning against 🇨🇩D.R Congo” – Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu
U-20 AFCON & World Cup Champion on 🇬đź‡Ghana’s chances at the tournament.#CitiSports pic.twitter.com/CI6Dxo9e5T
— Citi Sports (@CitiSportsGHA) May 1, 2025
They have a very solid U-20 team. Back in 2020, they promoted some of their players, like Kamara, to the senior side. They’ve invested heavily in youth development, just like we did in the past,” he noted. “Even now, we have players like Jerry Afriyie moving up to the Black Stars.
He also highlighted the importance of focusing on all group opponents, including the Central African Republic.
It’s a tough group. DR Congo is strong, maybe Central African Republic too ; we can’t take any game lightly. The first match is crucial for everyone. We just need to stay focused
He concluded by calling for more national attention and support for the youth teams:
There’s a growing attention towards these youth games, and rightly so. We need to give them the focus and importance they deserve.
The Satellites will begin their campaign at the U-20 AFCON in Suez on Friday at 6 p.m., aiming to advance from the group stage to the quarterfinals.
