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Ghana Football Association president Kwesi Nyantakyi has revealed Black Stars players have rejected the Sports Ministry’s proposal to pay a match bonus of US$ 5,000 at the Africa Cup of Nations.

He added that the players are willing to play for free if nothing is done about the amount.

Before the naming of the provisional 31-man squad for the tournament, Sports Minister Mahama Ayariga is reported to have told the players, “take it or leave it.”

The players and officials are expected to meet and finalize a bonus structure for the Nations Cup before their tournament opener against Senegal on 19 January.

“The players met us and in our discussions, they stated that if this is the amount you want to pay us for each game at the AFCON, then you can keep your money,” Nyantakyi told Montie FM on Saturday morning.

“The players are committed. They are not playing for the Black Stars because of money, but government has to pay them something for serving the nation so we will reach an agreement with them before they leave for Spain.”

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  • kolog 9 years ago

    I think the bonus structure is gud, in the world cup for instance, the amt of mini govt spent on the qualifications to the tournament proper is more than the amt team got from Fifa. The Bs shameful outing at the WC has caused financial loss to gh. we can not afford anytin more than this, knowing very well even winning the ultimate will not fetch the nation much money. AFCON is a poor Tournament. I think pple have to look at the prizes allocated to the teams that will finish in the top 4, b4 commenting.

  • MICHAEL 9 years ago

    Did the sports minister really say take it or leave it? Ghana is coming home after the group stages, period!

  • KG 9 years ago

    I think Avram Grant wont last in Ghana because of the confusions we always have around our teams. W e just can't get anything right-Africans. The man will leave after AFCON. Mark my words

  • Big mouth 9 years ago

    They can choose not to play. The nation wont lose anything. Remember the nation rather provides the platform for many of them whose career is dwindling to advertise themselves. Remember all nations can pay bonuses but developmental issues as well vary from country to country. How i wish only the local players are selected for the tourney? Even $5000 would be too much cash to motivate them kill themselves.

  • Edward, Maryland 9 years ago

    I don't understand this gov't that we have. When the Black Stars earn money, you want to take it, but pay them peanuts for their services. Ayariga or whoever, can you play soccer? Can you play for the nation? Every nation in the world pay their national teams winning bonuses. It's only in Africa that it becomes a problem. This move has the potential to backfire on the nation. You don't want disgruntled players representing the nation. That will be a calamity. These guys earn their own monies. Why the gov't wants to control it just beats my imagination. Just greed, corruption and poor thinking. The fact that they earn millions is neither here nor there. The fact that past players played for free should also not be an issue. Times have changed. Those past players unfortunately did not play in the World Cup, nor earn World Cup monies. They were just unfortunate.

  • Lambs 9 years ago

    They sit in parliament, what do they do? if president ask for a hige pay cut, what will you see in parliament? Ghanaians are short mind like the President said. they give you 10 cedis and that is all. the down fall of most of these great players is playing for this same blackstar. players loss their position for sacrificing to play for the nation, players get seriois injury of their careers for playing for the nation, do you think of how the survive. big mouths, you just write any comment and speak any how on radio. the minister after 4 years in office do you know his take home if he does not retain power. these players will serve the naation for more than ten years and what do they take home after retirement. WAKE UP GHANAIANS and stop these your attitudes, and lets face facts. these people are thieves. liars. they dont serve us, we rather bow to them. LOVE, GHANA.

  • Adebayo 9 years ago

    The ministry is making a point and I am afraid the players have missed it! After Brazil, the image of the current Black stars as greedy and money conscious needs redemption! The ministry is suggesting to these players to play for a pittance to tell Ghanaians that it is not about the money! The nation would have fallen in love with the team if they came out gladly and voluntarily to say, ‘we will not play for bonuses at this AFCON’! But even captain Asamoah Gyan missed the point!

  • tbdarko 9 years ago

    First of all can we all respect the fact that this is their job. Representing the nation or not this is still their job and deserves to be taken care of very well. How many will agree to receive a huge pay cuts in ur job? Nobody will. It's just sad to see how Ghana,a power house in soccer is becoming a laughing stock all because of corruption. From the GFA to our government. ....corruption corruption. If we don't put our house together,another thirty something years will pass by with NO trophies. As much as I love Ghana I'm starting to lose interest. I'm just tired, I was heart broken in Brazil...I just don't think I'm ready to be heart broken again at this year's AFON. We are setting up Grant for failure.

  • Anokwale 9 years ago

    Mr. Gyan: Please talk to your team and let them know that they need to play in this tournament and not fight over money.

  • Tor 9 years ago

    These average players knows no shame. Apuuuu what are they saying? They can go to hell for all we reasonable Ghanaians care. Look we shd quickly call some back up local players like most of the current u 20s. After all we have been informed they just have do well with no proper target. This fa boss is the problem of Ghana football. Mediocre players apuuuuu

  • Nana 9 years ago

    Take it or leave it?? Very unfortunate statement coming from someone who is supposed to be a leader. It's about time these political appointees ought to be taught some good moral lessons before being appointed. A leader shouldn't talk loosely like this. For Christ sake, these players aren't kids to be treated this way. They are someone's fathers, uncles, husbands n bread winners. Even Woyome....... i rest my case. Mtchewww

  • sam 9 years ago

    Pls call our local players and sack all these money conscious foreign players... after all our target is just to do well

  • Tanko 9 years ago

    Sulley Muntari don't have to be a BS player to slap you guys around. Even though I don't agree with Sulley Muntari on that note however, statements such as the sports minister's warrants a slap.

  • redd 9 years ago

    Good riddance to bad rubbish.Yes,play for free after all we all know you can't win the trophy anyway.After the world cup shame these bunch of overhyped average benchwarmers have the guts to tell us how much we should pay them.Is the 100,000 USD finished.

  • original 9 years ago

    yes I support u. reject the money the and put the ministry to shame.

  • Andy 9 years ago

    Ghana Ghana......my beloved country *sighs*

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