All players of the senior national soccer team, the Black Stars have been paid winning bonuses for the 4-1 white-wash of the Warriors of Zimbabwe on Sunday. Mr Kudjo Fianoo, Welfare Officer of the Stars told GNA Sports said on Monday that the money, which he did not disclose, was released in the morning and any player who cared to receive his was free to do so. He said the early release of the money was a way of showing appreciation to the boys for the superlative performance they put up against the Warriors.

The Welfare Officer said the early payment was to enable the overseas-based players to return on schedule in order not to receive any negative assessment from their clubs. "When they return early to their bases after every match their clubs would be more willing to release them any time we need them for national assignment", he said.

Fianoo however declined to say how much each player was paid and referred the writer to the Ghana Football Association (GFA) even though he was responsible for the disbursement of the money.

At the GFA, Mr Wolanyo Agra, the General Secretary, informed GNA Sports that the players were paid the cedi equivalent of 1,500 dollars, which is the ceiling for Nations Cup qualifiers