$80,000 each for Black Stars, If ...

Accra, June 20 (The Statesman) -- The Black Stars? mesmerising display on Saturday is set to land each of the 23 man squad a bumper bonus payment.

On top of the $50,000 received for competing in the World Cup, each squad member is earned $10,000 for defeating the Czech Republic.

The same incentive will apply should the Black Stars beat the United States on Thursday. And, if qualification for the second round is achieved, the players will also receive the $10,000 they would have been due had they beaten Italy.

This should take their earnings for the group stages to $80,000, per player, making it a total of $1,840,000. While the $80,000 may be about half of what Africa?s most expensive player, Michael Essien earns for a week?s job at Chelsea FC, it is a mighty bonanza for several of the players, especially their Ghanaian-based ones.

There is no discrimination when it comes to entitlement to the money. A player such as third choice goalie Ben Owu of Ash Gold should have enough money to shop and pay for excess luggage and perhaps top it with a C-Class Mercedes Benz before returning to Obuasi where he earns his normal pay.

The winning bonus, which is taxable in Germany, is to be increased to at least $20,000 if the team advances beyond the group stages.

For participating in the World Cup, Ghana has earned $4.5 million from FIFA. The other indirect benefits, such as the respect and interest earned by the nation are priceless.

The Black Stars can qualify if they secure a favorable result against the USA on Thursday.