Ghana midfielder Agyeman Badu has charged the national U-20 side the Black Satellites to remain focused as they prepare for this year’s African youth Championship in Senegal.

Badu, a key performer for the Ghana U-20 squad that won the World Cup in 2009, said from his Italy base that the only virtue that will see the team triumph in the African championship is focus and discipline.

Besides discipline and hard work, the hard tackling offensive midfielder attributed his era’s success story in Egypt where they defeated Brazil on penalties in the final, to focus on and off the field.

“I must commend the entire team for reaching this far. As past champions, any country that will face you will lift their game, but if you remain focused, I believe you can make it.

“It will be a tough journey, but playing under a coach like Borbor (Sellas Tetteh) and teamwork, I believe the team will succeed. Our past record should motivate them to win in Senegal and do the same at the World stage as well.

“Don’t let our past record get so much into your heads. Rather, be determined to go beyond what we did by sweeping all the individual awards,” Badu said in an interview.

The Satellites, paired alongside Mali, South Africa and Zambia in Group B, will begin their campaign on March 9 against South Africa, a day after the commencement of the tourney.

They will subsequently take on Zambia and Mali in the final group match.

The Ghanaians are currently pitching camp in Turkey where they defeated Azerbaijan 2-1 in a test match.

The Squad:

Goalkeepers

Mutawakilu Seidu (Accra Hearts of Oak) Kwame Baah (Heart of Lions) Michael Sai (Berekum Chelsea)

Defenders

Joseph Owusu Bempa ( Accra Hearts of Oak) Kingsley Fobi (Right to Dream) Patrick Asmah (B. A. Utd) Joseph Aidoo ( Inter Allies) Joseph Adjei (Wa All Stars) Yakubu Mohammed (Tema Youth) Stephen Anokye (B.A. Utd)

Midfielders

Kofi Yeboah (Wa All Stars) Michael Otoo ( UniStars) Yaw Yeboah (Right to Dream) Clifford Aboagye(Granada, Spain) Prosper Kasim (Inter Allies) Emmanuel Antwi (Liberty Professionals) Asiedu Attobrah (New Edubiase) Samuel Tetteh (WAFA)

Strikers Benjamin Tetteh (Dreams FC) Jonathan Osabutey (Tema Youth) Samuel Afful ( Hasaacas)