Ghana Black Stars players agree 50 percent bonus slash

Players of Ghana's Black Stars on Monday agreed to a 50 percent cut in winning bonuses at the group stages in the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Gabon.

The decision was taken during a meeting with the team by the Minister-designate for Youth and Sports, Isaac Asiamah, in the side's base in the Gabonese city of Port Gentil.

The latest development means the Black Stars will receive 5,000 U.S. dollars for each win at the group stage of the competition instead of the previous 10,000 dollars, 6,000 dollars for the semifinal, and 7,500 dollars for the final.

"We are going to have a stakeholders' meeting to discuss payments for all national teams but in the interim we have held a meeting with the players of the national team and they have agreed to a 50 percent slash in their bonuses," Asiamah told the press.

Former Sports Minister Nii Lantey Vanderpuye previously slashed bonuses from 10,000 dollars to 8,000 dollars, an action that led to a rift between the ministry and the Ghana Football Association.

Remuneration for the Black Stars players came under scrutiny after the 2014 FIFA World Cup finals in Brazil where players demanded being paid their appearance fees before their final Group match against Portugal.

Asiamah also assured of a special package if they were able to clinch the AFCON title.

The Black Stars will take on Egypt on Wednesday in their last group game at the tournament. Endit