Italian side Udinese have released midfielder Emmanuel Agyeman Badu to play for Ghana’s Olympic team against Nigeria this weekend in a final All Africa Games qualifier, GHANAsoccernet.com can confirm.

The Serie A side have made a u-turn on an earlier decision not to free the impressive enforcer for the must win game at the Baba Yara stadium on 10 July in Kumasi.

But it has emerged that the ex-Asante Kotoko player will arrive on Wednesday night.

“I spoke to the sporting director and head coach Akwesi Appiah added his voice to it. Ghana has a good relationship with Udinese and so it wasn’t difficult to negotiate my release,” he told GHANAsoccernet.com

This is a major boost for head coach Akwasi Appiah who has lost midfielders Rabiu Mohammed and Afriyie Acquah to their European clubs.

Captain Samuel Inkoom had his monthly salary slashed before being discharged for the return leg encounter.

The Black Meteors will have to overturn a 3-1 deficit to qualify for the championship in Maputo, Mozambique this September