Former Ghana midfielder Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu is confident that Jerry Afriyie will play a pivotal role in Ghana’s quarterfinal clash against Egypt at the ongoing U-20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
The Black Satellites face hosts Egypt today at the New Suez Stadium, with a spot in the semifinals—and qualification for the 2025 U-20 World Cup in Chile—at stake.
Afriyie missed Ghana’s final Group C game against the Central African Republic after briefly returning to his club, CD Lugo, over the weekend.
However, the forward has since rejoined the national camp and is expected to feature in the crucial tie against the Young Pharaohs.
“He [Afriyie] is our talisman,” Agyemang-Badu, a U-20 World Cup winner, told 3Sports.
“He has the experience, having played for the Black Stars, so when he goes there [to the Black Satellites], you see he is a different player.
“It is very good to have players like this in your team, and we thank the FA and his club [CD Lugo] for allowing him to come and help us. He will score for us, and we are going to qualify,” he added.
A victory for Ghana would secure their first U-20 World Cup appearance since 2015.
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