UniBank announce $300,000 incentive package for Black Stars

UniBank have pledged a $300,000 cash package to the Black Stars as an additional incentive for the team to win the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations.

The bank which is already an official sponsor of the Black Stars announced the package on the eve of Ghana’s crucial quarter-final clash against Guinea.

The team will receive a $100,000 package once they manage to beat the Syli National in Sunday’s game to be played in Malabo.

The same amount will be paid to the team if they win the semi-final and grand finale respectively.

The $300,000 package is outside the $1.2m sponsorship deal signed between the Ghana FA and Unibank in 2012.

Executive Director of Unibank Owusu-Ansah Awere says the package is meant to provide extra incentive for the team to go all the way in the tournament being held in Equatorial Guinea.

“We have gotten to a crucial stage of the tournament and if we are able to scale this hurdle [against Guinea] we will be going to the semi-final full of promise,” he said during the announcement of the package.

“This package is therefore meant to put a little extra spring in the step of the players for tomorrow’s game.

“This is only a token to enable the team to do us all proud for the remaining games of the tournament.”

The incentive package announced by UniBank will complement the efforts of the state which remains the major sponsor of the Black Stars.

Sports Minister Mahama Ayariga thanked UniBank for their initiative while urging other corporate bodies to make similar commitments to ease the burden on government.

“We told the players and the coach that one of the sponsors wanted to chip on an additional motivational package,” Ayariga said.

“We have a team that is focused, that is not going to allow itself to be distracted by anything.

“I want to thank Unibank for this gesture and urge other corporate bodies to emulate this example.

“I look forward to the day where bonuses and other incentives of the Black Stars and other national teams is entirely taken care of by corporate bodies and not government.”

Ghana recovered from a disastrous start to their campaign in Equatorial Guinea to qualify for the quarter-finals as winners of Group C.

The Black Stars must now beat a heavily inspired and motivated Guinean team on Sunday to book their place in the last four of the competition.