Badu Seeks Another Fine Stars Show

The stakes continue to be high for Ghana after the four-time champions kept their Nations Cup hopes alive by progressing to the last eight stage. After a difficult opening day 3-1 loss to Ivory Coast in the three-team Group B, the Black Stars put in an assured performance to qualify in their final fixture against Burkina Faso, winning 1-0 on Monday. Their reward is now a date with host nation, Angola on Sunday in Luanda as the competition reaches the quarter-finals stage. For a side hit by injuries to key personnel, many had written off Ghana's chances but Nations Cup debutant, Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu who has settled into the regular line up says the Black Stars will fight on. A place in the last four will be assured if Ghana can edge past the tournament host at the November 11 Stadium on Sunday. "We will fight for every ball again and hopefully we will surprise the Angolans because not many people are giving us a chance," Badu said. Playing against the host nation is always difficult but the midfielder, who has been signed on by Udinese admits that the Black Stars will be relaxed. "We will relax and play football. We will not allow the pressure to get to us."