Ex-Ghana coach Kwesi Appiah has revealed that the relationship between the players and sports minister Elvis Afriyie Ankrah broke down at the World Cup as the Black Stars did not want to see the government official over the failed appearance fee promises.
Appiah – who was relieved of his duties as Black Stars coach earlier this month – was called to give evidence at the presidential inquiry into Ghana’s disastrous World Cup campaign in Brazil on Thursday.
Squad members had threatened to boycott the final group stage match against Portugal in a dispute over unpaid player bonuses until President John Dramani Mahama personally intervened and arranged for $3m in cash to be flown by private plane to Brazil on the eve of the meeting with Portugal.
However, speaking to the Justice Dzamefe commission in Accra, Appiah admitted that the whole episode had contributed to his team’s eventual downfall after they had drawn 2-2 with Germany in their second match.
He added that players were angry over the several promises which were never fulfilled and at a point did not want to see the minister after consistent failed promises over when the appearance fees would arrive.
“My Lord at a point the players did not want to see the minister because all the dates promised for the arrival of the appearance fees was not kept,” Appiah told the commission.
“Before we left for the final game the minister was put on speaker phone where they told minister if the money was not in Brasilia upon arrival they would not train.
