Black Stars coaches protest over non-payment of salaries

Assistant Coach of the Black Stars Gerard Nus has vowed to stay in Ghana until his outstanding salaries and bonuses are paid by the Ghana Football Association (GFA).

Nearly three weeks on from this year’s tournament in Gabon, all of the technical staff – bar Nations Cup coach Avram Grant – have still to be paid.

But Nus, who also works for Rayo Vallecano in Madrid told the BBC in an interview that he will stay at his hotel in Accra until the arrears are cleared.

“It’s frustrating,” Nus said adding “like any human being, when you do work you want to get paid – I don’t think there’s anything strange in that. I’m just going to wait here until they come with a good solution. Local people tell me that if I leave without a payment, most likely I will never get paid.

“It’s sad to hear that because basically all I’m claiming is the money I’ve been promised for the job done.”

“They say I will get paid and I believe them. They are nice people and I trust them but it’s one day, another day, another day and another day – and the issue is not getting sorted out. I will be here as long as it takes.”

But the Ghana Football Association has revealed that there is no money to pay the coach. An FA official who spoke to the BBC said the association is seeking support from the government.

“We don’t have the money, the ministry is working for government to release funds for them to be paid,” a leading Ghana FA official told BBC Sport.

The official added “It’s not only Nus but the entire technical team and backroom staff – all of them.”

Meanwhile, fitness coach Jamie Lawrence, who played in the Premier League with Bradford City, is also demanding his bonuses from the FA before he leaves the West African nation.

“It’s very frustrating. They told us the money would be paid as soon as we got back to Ghana and they haven’t fulfilled the promise,” the former Jamaica international said.

“I was away longer than anyone else – two months – and I went at the drop of a hat with 18 hours’ notice for Avram and they haven’t paid the money. 90% of the team weren’t playing regularly for their clubs and I got them up to speed before the tournament. “I’ve been promised that I will get the rest of the money in the next 14 days. This hasn’t put me off working in African football again but I have missed out on work because of this, when I was waiting for the money in Ghana.”

The Black Stars came fourth in the just ended Nations Cup in Gabon failing to annex the trophy in over 35 years.