Money Is Not What Motivates Us - Kwadwo Asamoah

Ghana midfielder Kwadwo Asamoah says playing for the Black Stars “has never been about money” after the build up to the side’s thrashing of Egypt was preceded by a bonus controversy.


Asamoah and his teammates picked up $15,000 each for the 90 minute work after the team’s sponsor, Ghana National Petroleum Corporation gave them a 50% bonus increase.

That gesture drew intense criticism from sections of the public but Asamoah says the players simply insulated themselves from it.

“For us this was never about money. Infact playing for the Black Stars has never been about money. As players we know the hounour in playing at the world cup, we know what it can do for our various careers so that is what motivated us the most”, Asamoah says.

“Some of us earn more at our club sides than we do at the national team so it will be wrong to say we were spurred on by the money”.

The Juventus midfielder is thrilled he could be playing at his second straight world cup in Brazil next year but insist there is still a lot of work to be done. “Ware in a very good position but the biggest mistake we will make is to assume we are there already. We have to go for the return leg and play as though this was starting all over again.”