2009 Black Satellites management committee member denies reports of financial benefits
Lawyer Kwame Ntow Fianko, a member of the management committee for the 2009 World Cup-winning Black Satellites has dismissed reports claiming that all committee members benefited from a promised package.
He stated that only the late chairman of the committee, Jordan Anagbla, received a Toyota vehicle, while the other members received no compensation.
“For the Management Committee, apart from Jordan, who was given a Toyota that he took home with me in it, not even pure water was given to us,” Fianko revealed on Onua TV.
He added that after their victory, the team was invited by Ivory Coast President Alassane Ouattara for a ceremony at the Houphouet Boigny Hall, where two technical staff members – the Team Manager and Equipment Officer—received Kia Picanto cars.
This statement comes 15 years after the Black Satellites made history by defeating Brazil in the final to win Africa’s first and only trophy in the FIFA U-20 World Cup.
Reports had suggested that each management member took home a car and $5,000, but Fianko insisted that none of the committee members received anything except for the late chairman.
He expressed disappointment over the misrepresentation, stating, “It is very bad for people to say we were given $5,000,” and demanded that the truth be acknowledged.
Fianko confirmed that the players received cars.