The Ghanaian Soccer League Table
From William Ezah, GNA Special Correspondent, Pretoria, S. Africa
Pretoria, July 3, GNA - The Ghana Football Association (GFA) will receive a whooping 14 million dollars for reaching the quarter finals of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
In addition, the GFA has already received 0ne million dollars from the organisers of the World Cup, Federation of International Football Association (FIFA) as participation fee.
This brings the total money generated from the competition by the GFA to 15 million dollars aside other expected monies from television rights among others.
The Black Stars were kicked out of the competition by Uruguay on a 4-2 penalty shoot out, after the game ended one all, during regulation time. According to FIFA, 14 million dollars represent the total money earned by participating national teams for playing at the stage of the competition.
Ghana will have earned a minimum of 18 million dollars and a maximum of 30 million dollars had the Stars progressed to the last four of the competition.
According to FIFA, the ultimate winner of the competition will go home with 30 million dollars, with the second place team receiving 24 million dollars, whilst the third and fourth place teams would take home 20 and 18 million dollars respectively.
The Black Stars achieved the feat of Cameroon and Senegal by reaching the quarter finals of the competition.
Cameroon and Senegal reached the same stage in 1990 and 2002 respectively, and the Stars were seeking to surpass that stage, but failed after their first half goal by Sulley Muntari was cancelled in the second half by Uruguay.
A 120th minute penalty awarded to Ghana, was wasted by Asamoah Gyan, when his shot hit the cross bar.
Accra, July 6, GNA - Ghana Black Stars, the senior national team, returned home on Monday evening to a rousing welcome at the Kotoka International Airport.
The Stars, who arrived by a South African Airways flight, after participating in the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa, were met by a large crowd of fans and supporters, clad in the national colours. The fans waved miniature Ghana flags, cheered, sung, clapped and danced to music as the Stars disembarked the aircraft. The Black Stars were also met at the airport by Minister of State including Lieutenant General Joseph Henry Smith (rtd), Minister of Defence, Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports, Nii Nortey Dua, Members of Parliament and other State dignitaries.
Nii Nortey Dua congratulate the Stars for their excellent performances saying, "You have held aloft the flag of Ghana and Africa. We warmly welcome you back home".
Mr. Kwesi Nyantakyi, President of the Ghana Football Association, who accompanied the Stars, praised government and the people of Ghana for their support and good will for the team throughout the tournament. "We are overwhelmed by this warm welcome. The team's performance has brought pride to Africa. I thank the President, the Vice President and the entire government for their prayers and support. l thank the players for their efforts and l thank all supports and fans".
Stephen Appiah, captain of the team said "We did our best but we did not have luck on our side. By any means possible we are going to quality for the 2014 world cup in Brazil.
Mr. Alex Segbefia, Deputy Chief of Staff, expressed the gratitude of government and the people of Ghana to the team, saying "you definitely made us pride".
At 0010 hours tomorrow the players would undertake a float through some principal streets of Accra.
They would meet with President Mills after the float and a carnival would be held at the independent square in their honour. The Black stars drew 1-1 with Uruguay in regulation time, in the quarter finals sending the duel to extra time. The scores remained the same until the stars lost 2-4 on penalties to Uruguay, who had won the cup two times. 6 July 10