Gamblers invade Queens' camp

Hangzou, Sept 19, GNA - A host of gamblers have invaded the camp of Ghana's Black Queens in a quest to influence the last Group C game against Norway at the Hangzou Dragon Stadium on Thursday.

Agents of some betting companies who are dotted around the team's plush Radisson Hotel at the heart of Hangzou have their sights on three influential players ahead of the game for which the Ghanaians must win to restore their pride.

The GNA Sports has information that the betting agents who have made frantic efforts to court the three - two defenders and another defensive midfielder are offering 22,000 dollars to each of the players. In exchange, they are asking for the players to help let in six unanswered goals in the game, which was originally scheduled for the Shanghia Stadium on Wednesday.

Players and officials of the team were engaged in a crisis meeting where the former were cautioned to stay off unknown visitors, according to reliable information pieced together by GNA Sports a few hours ago on Wednesday.

A well-built gentleman of a North American descend, a suspected betting agent that the GNA Sports came in contact with questioned almost every black female in sight of her identity as he visibly displayed the names of the three players on a sheet of paper in hand.

The GNA Sports has confirmation that three of the players who came in contact with some of the well-dressed men at the reception of the team's hotel took to their heels the moment they were enquired about their names.

The telephone lines in the players' rooms have subsequently been disconnected in pursuit of the officials to cut every form of contact with the betting agents.

The lines are expected to be restored after tomorrow's duel. This comes a few weeks after former national goalkeeper Abubakari Damba made the news for allegedly acting as the middle man for some agents and a number of players of the Black Meteors during an international friendly with Saudi Arabia.

The Queens has lost all two games played so far and enter tomorrow's game as the underdogs with a mission to play for pride.

The Ghanaians lost 1-4 to Australia in the group opener before succumbing 0-4 to Canada four days on.