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Businessman Mahama Pledges Special Bonus to Black Stars

From Ghanaian Times · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Businessman Ibrahim Mahama visited the Ghana Black Stars team in Rhode Island, pledging a "much better bonus" than government incentives.
  • Mahama, who had previously stopped following football after Ghana's 2010 World Cup exit, was inspired to re-engage by his son.
  • He expressed pride in the current squad and promised to invest in the team as they prepare for a World Cup decider against Croatia.

Businessman Ibrahim Mahama has pledged a significant personal bonus to the Ghana Black Stars, aiming to motivate the team ahead of their crucial World Cup match against Croatia. Mahama visited the squad in Rhode Island on Thursday, expressing his commitment to invest in the team, stating his bonus would be "much better than the taxpayers'.

Apart from the government’s bonus, I have a special bonus. I was going to run away, but they’ve held me hostage, so I can’t fly back home. So, I’m going to stay and watch you. But I say, I have a much better bonus for you than the taxpayers. So please do us proud, and then you’ll be rewarded.

— Ibrahim MahamaMahama announced his personal incentive to the Black Stars team.

Mahama revealed he had largely disengaged from following football since Ghana's 2010 World Cup campaign, citing a negative experience in South Africa. However, his son's interest in the sport encouraged him to reconnect. He shared his admiration for the current team's technical staff and players, drawing parallels to past successful Black Stars squads that made Ghana proud.

"I just hear the names and I can’t put their faces together. And I’ve heard the name Semenyo, and I say, where is Semenyo from? And coming to see this team, it just reminds me of how they came up and how they made us proud," Mahama told the players and staff. He assured them of his continued support throughout their World Cup journey.

In 2010, the President and I went to South Africa to watch the match and were robbed. And from then, I just said to myself that I won’t follow football again. My son has actually been following football, and he has actually encouraged me to look into football.

— Ibrahim MahamaMahama explained his past disinterest in football and his son's influence.

The Black Stars are set to face Croatia on Saturday at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia. With four points, Ghana shares the top spot in Group L and will secure qualification for the Round of 32 with a victory.

I just hear the names and I can’t put their faces together. And I’ve heard the name Semenyo, and I say, where is Semenyo from? And coming to see this team, it just reminds me of how they came up and how they made us proud.

— Ibrahim MahamaMahama shared his reflections on the current team's performance and its connection to past successes.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Ghanaian Times in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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