Wakaso lied, Ghanaian players play for money - George Afriyie

kwame

August 16, 2016 10:45 AM

GFA vice president George Afriyie says Ghanaian players and other sub-Sahara Africa players play for the money.

The Vice President of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), George Afriyie has rubbished claims that

The senior national team has been criticized for taking bonuses Ghanaians describe as 'exorbitant'.

However, the players have never lost the opportunity to tell Ghanaians the notion of donning the national attire for money is 'misplaced'.

During the European off-season, Black Stars midfielder, Mubarak Wakaso in an interview with Accra-based radio station, Citi FM denied that he and his colleagues represent the country for money, but George Afriyie has labelled his claims as 'lies'.

"Money motivation, take it or leave it I am saying it on your radio station, let one Ghanaian single footballer come to dispute what I am saying. Money motivation in Sub-Sahara Africa countries is key," the Black Stars management Committee Chairman said in an interview with Nhyira FM prior to Liberty Professionals' week 24 fixture against Asante Kotoko.

He added: "Asante Kotoko is preparing to play Liberty tomorrow, let any Kumasi rich man promise the players to win for $2000 and you'll see the performance of the team.

"Some of us are privileged to have seen or heard what Rev. Osei Kofi and co. did for Ghana. Even if we did not see them play, we heard what they did. Why are they crying today, didn't they sacrifice for this country, why are they crying every day?" Mr. Afriyie quizzed.

"Government have rewarded them several times, but there are still some of them who are destitute to the extent that they have no shelter.

"The young boys of today they watch all this. So Ghanaian players, I am telling you, you can call every single player who is actively playing football today and ask him. Ghanaian players and Sub-Sahara countries especially, Côte d' Voire, Nigeria, Cameroon and other countries, all the boys play for money.

"Whoever tells you that these boys wear the national jersey because of pride, tell them I said it is a lie. The last time i heard [Mubarak] Wakaso say "we don't play because of money". Next time you say that thing and come to tell me to pay you, I will tell you we won't give you the money.

"You people (players) disturb us every day that 'if you don't bring the money we won't play, and when you get the chance to go and sit on radio, then they say that they are not playing for money. They are telling lies.

"Which player says that he doesn't play football for money?" he quizzed.

Mr. George Afriyie affirmed the interviewer’s opinion that the players need the country more than it needs them.

He also revealed that some footballers beg to play for the national team.

"Agreed. Normally, getting the call up to the national team should be a pride. International team should be for pride [but it otherwise].

"People even beg to be called into the national team. I agree with you 1000% (that they need us more than we need them) and I hold same view with you," he affirmed.

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