Players pay bribes to get into Black Stars - Kojo Poku Mahala

Ex-Ghana striker Kojo 'Mahala' Poku has made an explosive allegation that players pay bribes to officials to get into the country's national team the Black Stars.

The former Kotoko and King Faisal attacker claimed some players even pay the school fees of the kids of management members to ensure they get their players in the national team.

Mahala cited the example of Sweden-based midfielder Enock Adu Kofi as the case of officials taking bribes for call-ups, claiming that is it the cause of the dwindling fortunes of the Black Stars.

Adu Kofi is among of Ghana's top performers in Europe since lats year but has not been given a call-up to the national team by coach Avram Grant.

But Mahala insists the bribe-for-call-up is the cause of the absence of the Malmo players from the national team.

“I think the fortunes of the Black Stars are dwindling and it’s because players have to pay bribes to officials to gain entry into the national team," the former Kotoko star told Happy FM.

“Even though I’m no longer part of the team, most of the players are my friends and I speak with them.

"Isn’t it surprising that a player like Enoch Adu Kofi is playing regularly and featuring in the Champions League consistently but is not getting a look in at the Black Stars?

“I’m even aware that some players used to pay the school fees of some GFA officials so as to get a call-up to the national team."

Despite these claims by the player, national team coaches have fully taken the responsibility for the squads they release.

They are invited before the Executive Committee of GFA to explain the reasons for calling up players with no powers to alter squad.

It is however not known if the officials manipulate the process.