Friday, February 8, 2008

Cameroon:Lions Fight Over Match bonuses

A dispute over bonuses crept into Cameroon's camp before their MTN Africa Cup of Nations semi-final clash with Ghana's Black Stars. Indomitable Lions players were promised $163,000 or over Shs300m each if they win the cup for a record equaling fifth time.

The country's Ministry of Sports and Physical Education, football governing body Fecafoot and the 23 players failed to resolve the issue of bonuses.The players wanted close to $ 190,000 each but settled for $163,000. Each player was given $45,000 as participation fee and $23,000 if they advanced to the knock out stage.

And after a 4-2 defeat to Egypt in the opening match Sports Minister Augustine Edjoa promised a further $12,000 on top of the $23,000 which they had offered for a place in the last eight.

When the team qualified, the minister went back on his promise to offer the extra $12,000, forcing a stand off between the two parties.

Rich Black Stars

Meanwhile, the Black Stars received a $50,000 bonus from tournament title sponsors MTN for their 2-1 quarter final victory over Nigeria's Super Eagles last Sunday. MTN sponsors the Black Stars to a tune of $300,000 or Shs510m per year.Elsewhere, officials of the Local Organising Committee (LOC) for the 2010 Fifa World Cup in South Africa are to brief the press on media plans for the event.

The briefing will take place at Accra International Conference Centre (AICC) today and will be led by Confederation of African Football President Issa Hayatou, who chairs the 2010 organising committee and Danny Jordaan, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the LOC.

The briefing will afford African sports journalists an opportunity to learn details of World Cup organising committee plans.

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