Ghanaian winger Christian Atsu has dismissed claims that the Black Stars threatened to forfeit their final group game at the World Cup.
Ghana face Portugal on Thursday in a game they must win to stand any chance of qualifying to the next round of the tournament.
However, reports emerged during the week of the player’s displeasure at the fact that their appearance fees had not been given to them.
The Government has since had to airlift an amount believed to be in the region of $3 million to Brazil to pre-finance the appearance fees which FIFA pays only after the tournament, after reports alleging that the players were threatening not to play the game on Thursday.
Atsu has, however, insisted that the Black Stars were always going to play the game, with or without the money.
We are not going to say we are not going to play because of the money,” he said
”We love our nation and we are going to play for our nation.”
The Black Stars face Portugal on Thursday needing a win while hoping the other game between Germany and USA does not end in a draw.
Kick-off for both games is 4:00 pm GMT.
By: Edwin Kwakofi/citifmonline.com/Ghana