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According to sports journalist Atta Poku, the Black Meteors, Ghana’s U-23 national football team, were presented with evidence of their qualification bonus cheques before agreeing to participate in their final group game at the 2023 U-23 AFCON on June 30, 2023.
Ghana had secured qualification for the tournament hosted by Morocco after defeating Mozambique and Algeria in previous matches. However, Atta Poku, who was present at the team’s camp in Morocco, revealed that the players demanded their unpaid bonuses and even threatened to boycott the game against Guinea.
The players’ request for their bonuses reportedly led the management committee to show them proof of the payments made. Atta Poku stated that the committee held a 45-minute meeting with the players on Wednesday evening, where they showed images of the paid bonuses. Similar meetings were held three times before the game against Guinea, with players such as Barnieh and Danlad in attendance.
The demand for bonuses persisted, and even on the day of the game, the players were still requesting their payments in the dressing room. To address the issue, the management committee showed the players a screenshot of the cheques indicating that the money had been deposited in Ghana and would reflect in their accounts before they played. This revelation helps explain the delay and uncertainty surrounding their participation in the match.
Ultimately, Ghana ended up with a draw against Guinea, which confirmed their exit from the tournament. They finished third in Group A with 4 points, while Guinea and Morocco advanced to the next stage with better goal differences. This disappointing outcome means that the Black Meteors have failed to qualify for the Olympic Games, extending Ghana’s 20-year search for an Olympic Games appearance.
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