Emmanuel Agyemang Badu has listed two ex-Black Stars players as the teachers behind his free-kick and shooting prowess.
The former Udinese midfielder named former Black Stars captain Asamoah Gyan and ex-Chelsea star Michael Essien as the players who educated him with the free-kick and shot techniques following his first call-up into the senior national soccer team of Ghana.
Badu has represented Ghana at under-20, under-23, and senior levels. On 22 May 2008, he received his first call-up to the Black Stars. Badu’s first senior international appearance came on 8 June 2008 against Lesotho and his first goal against Congo in June 2011.
Speaking to King Akuffo on Atinka Tv, the former U-20 winner said, “Essien is part of the players who taught me free-kick techniques after my admission into the Black Stars.
“I knew how to play shot but I never knew the techniques during my time in Berekum Chelsea but Essien and Asamoah Gyan are among the players who taught me the techniques.”
During the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations, in a group match between Ghana and Guinea, Badu flipped up a teammate’s pass from just outside the penalty area and launched a mid-air volley to score a goal that was later nominated for the 2012 FIFA Puskás Award (FIFA’s global Goal of the Year award).
Badu has scored 11 goals in 78 caps for Ghana.
