TheCable

President John Mahama has announced a cash reward of US$ 25,000 to each Black Stars player for finishing runners-up at the 2015 Orange Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

Ghana came close to winning their fifth title but narrowly lost to Cote d’Ivoire through the lottery of penalty shootout in Sunday’s final.

However, most Ghanaians appear to have been pleased with their performance at the tournament and the president translated this into cash.

Speaking at a luncheon held in their honour at the Flagstaff House on Tuesday, Mahama said Ghanaians have forgiven the team for their misconduct in Brazil.

“All of us are happy. I think that the confidence in our Stars has been restored; you have redeemed yourselves in the eyes of Ghanaians,” he said.

“And I can assure you that the whole nation is behind you; we can see a great future for the team. And for achieving that feat, we are grateful to the team and this is a team for the future and the sky we know will be the limit.

“Government is pleased to announce that we are giving each one of you an amount of US$25,000 for going that far.”

Ghana almost exited the competition at the group stage after losing their opening game to Senegal. But victories against Algeria and South Africa saw them top Group C and kick-start their tournament.

They defeated Guinea 3-0 in the quarter-final and replicate that score line against hosts Equatorial Guinea in the semis, only to lose agonisingly to the Elephants 9-8 on penalties in the final.