Ahead of a tough Group D clash in the second AFCON games on Saturday, Ghana has re-directed its focus away from financial distractions over bonus payments that have clouded the team, to the field where it matters to the fans.
The AFCON squad is willing to accept any bonus winnings so as to focus on the tournament, regain home support, and remove the perception that the Black Stars are greedy and only motivated by money.
[perfectpullquote align=”full” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]”The players have told us that they will take any amount that the nation is willing to pay them as their bonus money.[/perfectpullquote]
“They met the management committee and told them this,” Ghana FA spokesperson, Ibrahim Sannie-Daara told Metro FM.
[perfectpullquote align=”full” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]”They want to send a signal to the Ghanaian public that they are not playing because of the money and hence this decision.[/perfectpullquote]
“Whatever Ghana can pay, they will take it,” he added.
Reports previously claimed a deducted fee of $8,000 was budgeted for each player as a match winning bonus but the Ministry has come out to dispute the claimed amount, calling it false and misleading.
“The Ministry wishes to state in no uncertain terms that no such decision has been taken yet by the Government,” the statement signed by the Ministry’s PRO, Elvis Adjel-Baah.
“However, it must be stated that the Ministry together with the Minister-designate (representing the President, H.E Nana Addo Dankwa Akuffo-Addo) is currently consulting all key stakeholders of the game to ensure that the ultimate decision would be in the best interest Ghanaians,” the statement adds.
Tracing back, Ghana’s stature as a revered football nation has been compromised by past financial woes that have affected the mood setting within the camp.
At the 2010 World Cup in Brazil, Ghana reached the quarterfinals and was set to make history but the achievement was overshadowed by disputes over payments of $63,000, promised to each player.
There is no forgetting when in the same year, Ghana’s government was put in a compromising situation because players vowed to strike unless their unpaid wages were cleared.
A plane carrying $3 million in cash was flown in urgency to pay the players.
There was also a bonus row the year before, in 2010.
Ghana leads Group D with three points, after a crucial win over Uganda Cranes in which, Andre Ayew scored the only goal from a penalty kick. They face Mali next.
Featured photo: Ghana has put its focus on gaining continental glory (JUSTIN TALLIS)
