Badu: Mozambique made it difficult for us

Ghana midfielder Emmanuel Agyemang Badu admits the Black Stars struggled in their 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier with Mozambique on Thursday.

The four-time African champions handed the Mambas a 3-1 defeat at the Accra Sports Stadium with goals from Frank Acheampong, John Boye and Jordan Ayew.

Apson Manjate scored the visitors’ consolation.

“We watched their clips before the game and we knew they hold the ball very well, are tactically disciplined and they showed it here,” Badu said.

“The pitch worried us a bit but it’s not going to be easy in the second leg. We didn’t get a good time in the first-half but we proved that we are a very big team in the second-half.

“They made it very difficult for us in the first-half. We spoke to ourselves in the dressing room [during recess] and we came back strongly and had two wonderful goals.”

The Udinese midfielder is, however, confident that the Black Stars will pick three more points in the return encounter in Maputo on Sunday.

“Let’s wait to see what happens in camp but with the quality and commitment in camp, I think we can make it there as well,” Badu added.

“Thanks to the supporters who came to cheer us, we have the three points now and we’re looking forward to the second leg.”

Ghana have temporarily opened a six-point lead at the top of Group H ahead of Rwanda’s clash with Mauritius on Saturday.