Ghana president Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo on Tuesday announced a cash reward of US$330,000 to members of the national U-20 football team, the Black Satellites for winning the U-20 AFCON 2021 competition held in Mauritania.
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According to the president, each of the 27 players of the black satellites will receive $10, 000 for winning the Confederation of Africa Football (CAF) Under-20 Championship. While each playing staff would be entitled to $5,000 in cash including an investment facility in the form of a bond worth $5,000 which would mature in 10 years.
Additionally, the Technical Team will be rewarded with $10,000 for their contribution to the success of the team, making it a total of $330,000 on the entire team.
The president said the investment was necessary at this time because sportsmen and women only have a short life span of playing.
He also made a personal pledge of $5,000 cash each to goalkeeper Danlad Ibrahim, Captain Afriyie Barnieh, Overall Best Player Fatawu Issahaku and Head Coach Karim Zito.
Ghana defeated Uganda 2-0 in the final at the Olympics Stadium in Nouakchott, Mauritania on Saturday March 6, 2021
The president who was delivering his first State of the Nation Address in his second term hoped that the Satellites victory marks a new era of success in Ghana’s football.
“This is a special occasion for me to congratulate the Black Satellites on their splendid victory in winning the country’s fourth U-20 African Cup of Nations trophy when they defeated Uganda.
“I thank the Black Satellites and the technical and management team for their Independence Day gift. Hopefully this should be the beginning of a new era of success in Ghana football,” he said.
He remain hopeful that fans can safely return to watch and support their teams as effort are ongoing to contain Coronavirus pandemic in the country.
The president also reiterate the government’s commitment to provide maximum support to the Local Organising Committee (LOC) in ensuring a successful organization of the 2023 African Games.