2009 Black Satellites invited to collect matured investment cheques

3h ago | Source: Graphic Online

2009 Black Satellites invited to collect matured investment cheques

The SAS Finance Group has invited the 21 players of Ghana’s historic 2009 FIFA U-20 World Cup-winning Black Satellites team to collect matured investment cheques following the conclusion of a 15-year investment plan, the Ghana Football Association has disclosed.

In a statement, the GFA disclosed that in a letter addressed to its General Secretary and copied to the Ministry of Youth and Sports, SAS confirmed the maturity of the investment made on behalf of the team in 2009.

"A total investment of GH¢210,000 was made on behalf of the 21 players, with each player allocated GH¢10,000 by the Ministry in 2009. This investment has matured after 15 years, and the players can now collect their cheques from the SAS Office in Accra, starting from January 8, 2025," SAS stated.

Players are required to present a valid Ghana Card for identification to collect their cheques. Alternatively, a player can authorise a third party by providing a notarised Power of Attorney. The SAS Office is located on the 14th floor of the World Trade Centre, Independence Avenue, Accra.

The investment also included an annual insurance cover to address life and health-related expenses for each player over the 15-year period.

This announcement follows recent controversy surrounding the investment. Philip Boampong, a member of the 2009 squad, alleged that the insurance plan had been implemented without the players' knowledge, leaving them unable to access its benefits during the coverage period. Speaking to Global Sports Studios, Boampong criticised team captain Andre Dede Ayew and officials for not consulting the players before signing the deal.

"There was an investment, and he [Dede Ayew] was part of it, but we did not know anything about it. We were called for a general meeting and informed about an insurance policy. It was supposed to cover us for fifteen years in case of injuries, but we didn't know."

"If we had known, we would have sought treatment when we got injured. So, with over 22 players, we were deducted some amount of money, yet we didn't benefit. At least, he should have told us," Boampong remarked.

The 2009 Black Satellites’ victory remains a landmark achievement in Ghanaian football, as they became the first African team to win the FIFA U-20 World Cup.

Attached to the letter was the list of players who are beneficiaries of this investment:

1. Daniel Agyei

2. Samuel Inkoom

3. Gladson Awako

4. Jonathan Mensah

5. Daniel Addo

6. David Addy

7. Abeiku Quansah

8. Emmanuel Agyemang Badu

9. Opoku Agyemang

10. Andre Ayew

11. Latif Salifu