Two influential players have been sacked by Ghana coach Kwasi Appiah just as over 2 million US dollars was brought to the team hotel here in Brasilia. Kevin Prince Boateng and Sulley Ali Muntari are believed to have been given their appearance fees and then told toleave the team base immediately.
The money was to settle players on an earlier agreement of appearance fees for the 2014 FIFA World Cup Finals. Not for the first time, the Ghana Black Stars camp is under siege just hours to a crucial World Cup match against Portugal.
Hordes of journalists seek facts into the latest news breaking from the camp of the West Africans who have consistently made headlines on and off the pitch since Brazil 2014 kicked off.
First, they were stunned by the USA 2-1 in a match they were tipped to win, this was followed by a publication in the Daily Telegraph that the FA President had agreed to play matches with known match fixers. This has been vehemently denied by Kwesi Nyantakyi who has began legal processes against the Daily Telegraph and partners.
The controversy appeared to be dying down following a spirited performance against Germany in which the Black Stars earned a point with a 2-2 draw.
Now, with just hours to kick off, two players have been sacked from camp. Kevin Prince Boateng is believed to have had a confrontation with the coach during a training session and then followed up with a fierce dressing room bust up.The money was to settle players on an earlier agreement of appearance fees for the 2014 FIFA World Cup Finals. Not for the first time, the Ghana Black Stars camp is under siege just hours to a crucial World Cup match against Portugal.
Hordes of journalists seek facts into the latest news breaking from the camp of the West Africans who have consistently made headlines on and off the pitch since Brazil 2014 kicked off.
First, they were stunned by the USA 2-1 in a match they were tipped to win, this was followed by a publication in the Daily Telegraph that the FA President had agreed to play matches with known match fixers. This has been vehemently denied by Kwesi Nyantakyi who has began legal processes against the Daily Telegraph and partners.
The controversy appeared to be dying down following a spirited performance against Germany in which the Black Stars earned a point with a 2-2 draw.
Sulley Muntari on the other hand, escaped arrest by Brazilian police when he physically assaulted a senior team manager at the Brasilia Palace Hotel on Tuesday night.
A laptop, mobile phone and other objects were damaged during the incident leaving the Ghana FA with little option than to dismiss the player.
What next? Nobody can tell but if all the drama is having a negative impact on the players, they are not showing any signs of it.
Midfielder Christian Atsu had earlier dismissed concerns the players would boycott the Portugal match if the money didn’t arrive.
“This game is very important for our nation and we have to put everything behind us,” the left winger said.
“It would be bad if we lost the game, people would think it because of the money.
We have no option but to make our nation proud.”
Story from Supersport reporter Yaw Ampofo-Ankrah in Brasilia and pictures CREDIT: Globo
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