Okwawu United players were reportedly handed GH¢2,000 each as winning bonus for ousting Liberty Professionals and qualifying for the FA Cup final. They have also have other mouth-watering incentives promised them if they achieve another giant-killing feat to win the club’s third FA Cup next month.
For Coach Ibrahim Merigah, who won the FA Cup with the club 30 years ago, Okwawu are poised to repeat history and would leave no stone unturned to deny Bechem United FA Cup glory in order to represent Ghana in the CAF Confederation Cup.
“We have already played the final with Liberty at the Baba Yara [stadium] so now we are only going to play a coronation match against Bechem United, and for Africa. Insha Allah, we will go next year,” he told the Graphic Sports in a telephone conversation last Tuesday.
Although the Division One League side are plotting to ambush the Bechem lads in the final in Cape Coast on September 4, the coach said his side was also targeting a return to the Premier League next season and were working hard at achieving the two goals.
“Qualifying to the Premier League is as important as winning the FA Cup and going to Africa is important for us at Okwawu because currently we are fourth on the table and we have 10 more matches to go, so I am confident we will qualify,” he added confidently.
The Soccer Mountaineers are currently placed second on the Zone Three log with 34 points and have 10 more matches to play.
Last Sunday night, Okwawu were in jubilant mood after reaching the FA Cup final and they were laughing all the way to the bank after receiving the hefty winning bonus, with a promise to earn even more if they defeat Bechem United on September 3, writes Daniel Amankrah.
The president of the club, Bryan Acheampong, who is also the Member of Parliament (MP) for Abetifi, said the payment was in fulfillment of a promise he made to the team ahead of last Sunday’s game.
Okwawu captain’s Prince Siaw, confirmed to the Graphic Sports yesterday that the players received the bonuses last Monday and assured their fans, particularly the Kwawuman Community that the players had been given the assurance by Mr Acheampong that the club was financially prepared to venture into Africa.
“We are grateful for the motivation that Mr Brian Acheampong has been providing for the team throughout the campaign. He often calls me to tell me what he has prepared for the team at each stage and he has now given us GH¢2,000 each for reaching the final,” the captain stated.
“He further assured the team he is financially ready to cater for our Africa campaign if only we can win the Cup against Bechem United and that has fired us up for the battle.”