Soccer News of Monday, 4 July 2011

Source: mtnfootball.com

Agyemang-Badu to miss Nigeria clash

Udinese midfielder Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu will miss Ghana’s crucial All Africa Games second leg qualifier against Nigeria.

The Italian side have asked the midfielder to report for pre-season training after negotiations between Ghana Football Association and the club collapsed.

The match is fixed for 10 July, a non approved FIFA date, and as such clubs are not obliged to release players for the assignment.

The 21-year-old has confirmed with Accra-based Asempa FM that he will leave Accra on Monday night to join the Uefa Champions League campaigners.

“Officials wrote to them asking them to allow me to play the game but Udinese maintains the game is not FIFA calender so they want me to return for pre-season.

“There is nothing I can do about it for now. But I hope they will allow me to return by Wednesday. If they don’t, I will pray for the team and I believe we can qualify,” he said.

Udinese head coach Francesco Guidolin is delighted with the former Berekum Arsenal playmaker’s form and will factor him into his plans for the upcoming season.