Kwesi Appiah not worried about 'senseless' bribery allegations against his team

Published on: 01 February 2013

Ghana coach Kwesi Appiah insists his players have not been distracted by widespread allegations of bribery against his team.

The Ghana FA issued a strongly-worded statement to rubbish claims that it attempted to induce Ghanaian-born Niger defender Kofi Dankwa before Monday’s final group B game.

The story which was carried by the Ghana News Agency has been widely condemned by many of the Ghanaian journalists covering the tournament and angered many local fans back home.

The story claimed captain Asamoah Gyan met Dankwa on the eve of the game and attempted to bribe him to throw the game in favour of the West African giants.

The scandalous report is believed to have riled authorities who wasted no time in issuing out an official statement to dismiss the growing report.

The Black Stars will tackle Cape Verde in the first quarter-final on Saturday and there are fears the reports could disturb their concentration ahead of the game at the Nelson Mandela Bay stadium.

But the Ghanaian trainer insists his players are well-focused on the game against the Blue Sharks and not worried about the ‘senseless’ allegations.

“I heard about this negativity that you spoke off. For me there is no truth in it,” Appiah said

“Everyone who watched the game will see that it doesn’t actually even make sense.

“At the end of the day, the FA has issued an official statement on it. What I need to do is concentrate on the game ahead.

“My boys are very focused on our game. As to what someone is suggesting or thinking, it up to that person.

The Ghana News Agency reporter Veronica Commey and Nana Darkwa Gyasi of Accra-based Radio Gold who carried the report are reported to have been banned from the team’s camp in Port Elizabeth.

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