FA: We will account for every penny from the World Cup

Ghana Football Association president Kwasi Nyantakyi, has given the assurance that his outfit will account for “every penny” accrued from Ghana's participation in the World Cup.

The Federation of International Football Association (FIFA) gave Ghana an amount of $14 million being prize money for Ghana's progression into the quarter final stage of the competition.

The country was guaranteed an automatic $8 million for qualifying for the World Cup, an extra $1 million for qualifying into the round of sixteen and $5 million for progressing into the quarter finals stage of the competition, bringing the total amount to $14 million.

Concerns have been raised about how that money will be disbursed once it is made available to the FA.

At its first post World Cup press briefing on Friday, the GFA president Kwesi Nyantakyi allayed fears of misappropriation saying the FA will account for every dollar once the money is paid in August.

He said the FA, together with the Sports Ministry was yet to iron out how the money should be disbursed.



Serbia connection












Coach Milovan Rajevac (R) and his interpreter at the news conference







Even though the Black Stars budgeted for a total amount of $19 million as expenditure to be incurred if the Stars made it to the final, the FA president said a little over $9 million was expended.

Attended by members of the Executive Council of the GFA, coach Milovan Rajevac and his interpreter, the press conference offered the opportunity for the FA to explain some controversial issues that went on when the team was in South Africa.

Rajevac told newsmen he had vowed not to celebrate in public, victories of the Black Stars against his native country Serbia.

This explains why he reportedly shoved off a hug from his assistant when Ghana pipped Serbia by a lone goal in the opening Group D game.

He also stated emphatically that Asamoah Gyan was elected as the first penalty taker for the team in the event of a penalty decision in favour of the Black Stars. This should hopefully bring to a close the controversy that skipper Stephen Appiah had elected himself to take the penalty kick in the game against Uruguay but was prevented by Asamoah Gyan, only for him to miss the kick.

The future of not only the coach but his interpretor was a thorny issue with journalists seeking to find out what next for the two.

Milovan Rajevac hinted of a contract extension with the Ghana FA but revealed several others had come his way.

FA president Kwesi Nyantakyi said the FA had come to an agreement with the coach to bear part of the expenses of his interpretor having stayed in the country for over a year.

He said preparations for Brazil 2014 will begin next month when the Black Stars play against a yet to be named country in an international friendly.

Story by Nathan Gadugah/Myjoyonline.com/Ghana