Ghana football association dismisses player gambling rumour

Accra (Ghana) - The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has dismissed rumours that some players of the senior national team, the Black Stars, gambled during the recently concluded Africa Cup of Nations co-hosted by Gabon and Equatorial Guinea.

"We wish to state categorically that no Black Stars player gambled during the tournament and the report has no basis in fact," the GFA was quoted as saying by Xinhua.

"We strongly urge the media to desist from spreading unsubstantiated rumours which could have far-reaching consequences, " the GFA said, calling on Ghanaians to disregard such stories as they remained focused and committed to finding the reasons why the team failed to win the Nations Cup trophy.

Since the Black Stars returned from the tournament, several reports have been made in the media about why the team failed to win the trophy to end the West African Nation's 30-year title drought.

Some soccer fans blamed the team's disappointing fourth place on player indiscipline while others accused the national team coach Goran Stevanovic of poor selection.

The GFA president, Kwesi Nyantakyi, the Ghana FA management team as well as head coach Stevanovic are expected to address a media conference at the FA command centre here next Wednesday to address this and many other issues.

Ghana were favourites to win the Nations Cup but placed fourth after losing the third place match to West African neighbours Mali.