Ghanaian football legend, Mohammed Polo, has voiced his frustration over the delayed rewards given to the Black Satellites team that made history by winning the 2009 FIFA U-20 World Cup. Polo believes the players deserved immediate recognition for their remarkable achievement rather than having their prize money tied up in investments.

In 2009, the Ministry of Youth and Sports allocated GH₵210,000 to be invested on behalf of the 21 players, promising each player GH₵10,000. The funds, managed by SAS Finance Group, matured on January 4, 2025—16 years after their historic victory. While the move was intended to secure the players’ futures, Polo has criticized it for failing to meet their immediate needs at the time.

Speaking to Peace FM, Polo shared his dissatisfaction: “I don’t know who came up with the idea to invest the money for the players. Everything has its time. If someone does something remarkable, reward them instantly, let them enjoy it and move on.”

He further emphasized that the delayed payment has lost its value, given the players’ current status: “These players have gone on to play football at the highest level. They don’t need this money now. It’s creating unnecessary issues because the players are now questioning why they were treated this way.”

Polo’s comments highlight the ongoing debate about how sports authorities handle athlete rewards, with some players reportedly expressing disappointment over the decision.