Agyemang-Badu Backs Black Satellites to Beat Any Team in U-20 AFCON
Former Ghana international Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu is confident the Black Satellites can overcome any opponent in the 2025 U-20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), as they prepare to begin their campaign tonight against DR Congo.
Ghana’s U-20 team will open their Group C matches at the New Suez Stadium, facing a DR Congo side many have tipped as one of the dark horses of the tournament. But Agyemang-Badu, who famously helped Ghana win the FIFA U-20 World Cup in 2009, believes the Satellites are up to the task.
“Well, it’s a very difficult group, but they are beatable — every team, every country is beatable; especially when they’re playing against Ghana,” Agyemang-Badu told Channel One TV ahead of the match.
“Opponents always want to prove a point against us, not out of fear, but to make themselves proud.”
He went on to acknowledge the quality of Ghana’s first opponents, praising DR Congo’s investment in youth development.
“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 said.
“Even now, we have players like Jerry Afriyie moving up to the Black Stars,” he added, expressing optimism about the future of Ghanaian football.
Ghana is drawn in Group C alongside Senegal, DR Congo, and the Central African Republic — widely regarded as one of the most competitive groups of the tournament.
Kick-off for the Black Satellites’ opening match is scheduled for 18:00 GMT.
The team, led by Coach Desmond Ofei, is hoping to reclaim continental glory and add to Ghana’s four U-20 AFCON titles.
