Nigerien Defender Kofi Dankwa: I Wasn�t Given Any Money By Ghana Officials

Ghanaian-born Nigerien defender, Kofi Dankwa who was alleged to have pocketed 10 million CFA Francs (20,000 US Dollars) from officials of the Black Stars through Ghana�s captain Asamoah Gyan has denied the allegation, saying he wasn�t given any money during and after Niger�s last group B match against Ghana. Ghana News Agency (GNA) reporter Veronica Commey on Thursday reported the alleged bribery case and since then this has generated a cacophony in both the international and local media, as well as the Stars camp in South Africa. According to Kofi Dankwa, it�s surprising how journalist can fabricate stories and that no Ghana Football Association official approached him and his team mate Mohamed Chicoto concerning any money. �It�s surprising but in the name of God no Ghana official gave me or my partner Chicoto any money so that we play it easy against them. �It�s also not true I went out with Asamoah Gyan, the fact is i spoke on phone with my brother Harrison Afful,� he said adding that, no GFA official promised giving him or co-defender Chicoto any money as it has been reported. Speaking on Asempa Fm an Accra based radio station, Kofi Dankwa further said, Mohamed Chicoto who has been alleged speaking to Asamoah Gyan is also a false fabrication. �Chicoto don�t speak any language apart from French, which Asamoah don�t speak, it�s never true they spoke, Asamoah don�t even know Chicoto as they are saying,�he told Asempa FM. Kofi Dankwa however explained where all these hullabaloos generated from. �I think the main reason is, during our match with Ghana, my team mates chanced on me speaking in the local dialect (Twi) with Asamoah Gyan, so in their mind they (the Nigeriens) think there was something going on,� he said. He explained that after injuring himself on the pitch, Asamoah Gyan who was closer to him said in the local(Ga) dialect; �Tashe ne ojor ohei�, meaning �I should sit and relax,� which I responded back saying �yoo� meaning �ok�,� he added. Kofi Dankwa also revealed that after the match, he was summoned by the Niger FA president to explain the allegation. According to him, he told them despite being a Ghanaian and playing for Niger, he would never do such thing. �I am a professional player and will never do that under any circumstance,� he said. Meanwhile, Ghana Football Association has released a press statement rubbishing the alleged bribery case in the Stars camp.