Injured Ghana midfielder tells the story of how Black Meteors players were bribed to lose a game [Dan Kwaku Yeboah TV] —

The injured midfielder who is seeking help to undergo the knife to enable him to return to active football has recounted how Ghana U23 players were bribed by the goalkeepers’ trainer to lose an international friendly game.

Former Hearts of Oak midfielder Obed Ansah has given details about how some Black Meteors players were bribed to lose a game against Iran in an international friendly in 2007.

The stinking scandal, which happened during the reign of Randy Abbey as the Chairman of the Management Committee of the Ghana U23 side, occurred at the team’s hotel in Tehran, Iran.

Ghana’s Olympic Team was busily preparing for the qualifiers for the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing with the late Sir Cecil Jones Attuquayefio and JE Sarpong leading the technical team.

Abukari Damba, who was then the goalkeepers’ trainer for the team was at the center of the scandal.

Ansah, who spent 7 seasons at Heart of Lions before joining Hearts of Oak and played for the Ghana U17, U20, and U23 sides, recounts the issue.

“It was somewhere in [2007]. At the time Randy Abbey was the chairman of the Management Committee. I remember we were called into an emergency meeting. I was among the players in the front seat.

I was taken aback when I heard the announcement that every player who had taken money from (Abukari) Damba should raise his hands up. Then Saban Quaye started counting from behind and I saw the numbers.

As a matter of fact, I was called to come for my share of the money but I was in the washroom so I told them that I would come later. Damba was the goalkeeper’s trainer. I heard the money was $1000 per player but he was rather giving everyone $500.

There was a big commotion in camp but the leadership managed the issue very well. We lost the game 4-2 under very impressive performances,” he ended.

The Ghana FA set up a panel to investigate the case and later terminated the appointment of Damba following adverse findings made against him by the panel.