Zambian top journalist Musonda slams Ghana FA

The astute broadcaster believes the Ghana FA are to blame after Ghana shamefully exited the 2014 World Cup insisting that the Chipolopolo would've performed better

Ace Zambian journalist Musonda Muzo Chibulu has slammed the Ghana Football Association following the Black Stars' disgraceful exit from the 2014 World Cup.

The Black Stars picked just a point at the group stage and became a subject of ridicule when over $3.5 million was airlifted from the west African country to settle agitated players’ appearance fees.

Chibulu believes Ghana had the best of chance to make Africa loud and proud but love for money coupled with poor man management cost the four-time African champions.

“When Ghana qualified to Brazil 2014 at the expense of my beloved Zambia in the group stages, the entire continent was pregnant with expectations. No sooner had the draws of the group stages been announced than doubt began to creep in,” Chibulu told Goal Ghana.

“Ghana was placed in the proverbial Group of Death - Germany, Portugal and the United States of America. The group was tough. But with the experience of 2010 when Ghana nearly became the first Africa nation to make the semi-finals, it was envisaged the Black Stars would find the compass to navigate their way to the second round only to be entangled by monetary issues.”

He added: “It quickly emerged that the Black Stars were owed appearance bonuses. The world heard with amusement a plane carrying over $3 million would land in Brazil to settle the arrears. As the world chuckled, the worst was to come. Muntari and Boateng were chucked out of the Ghana squad due to alleged indiscipline,” he recollected. “Could my own Chipolopolo [Zambia] have done better had they qualified over Ghana? In terms of working out bonuses in advance, however meagre, that would have been done before the tournament. The Zambian footballers would have played on without fuss and addressed the issues of money later.”

“To be honest, some of the players Ghana possessed were as good as anybody with the likes Gyan, KP Boateng, Ayew brothers [Andre and Jordan], Kwadwo Asamoah, Atsu, Muntari, Mensah, and Essien were stellar names forming the Black Stars backbone but indiscipline halted the team's dreams.”

Chibulu admitted that the only achievement by Ghana at the Mundial was the record captain Gyan equaled and bettered to become Africa’s all-time top scorer at the global showpiece.