Ghana’s Black Stars are attracting international attention in 2016 after several foreign-based players reportedly pay their own airfares to return home for a crucial Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Rwanda.
The controversy emerges after Ghana’s Ministry of Youth and Sports declines to finance the travel costs of foreign-based players, citing financial difficulties. The ministry instead asks the Ghana Football Association to rely on locally based players because Ghana has already secured qualification for the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations.
Coach Avram Grant publicly expresses his dissatisfaction with the situation and says the lack of funding is affecting preparations for the national team. He praises the players for maintaining a positive attitude despite the difficulties.
Ghanaian midfielder and Black Stars vice-captain André Ayew also steps in to pay the travel expenses of seven foreign-based teammates, according to contemporary reports. Ayew himself remains unavailable for the match because of injury.
The unusual situation generates widespread attention across African and international sports media, placing Ghana’s football financing and national-team preparations under scrutiny.
The episode becomes one of the most talked-about Black Stars stories of 2016 as Ghana prepares for the next stage of its international football campaign.
