Black Stars B head coach Ibrahim Tanko has disclosed that he has never at any point received money to hand call-ups to any footballer in his team.

The issue of some coaches being influenced by money from agents and officials has long been part of Ghana football.

It came up again recently when Black Stars coach CK Akonnor announced his squad for the double-header in the AFCON qualifiers against South Africa and Sao Tome last month

The inclusion of some players created rumours that they might have made the team because of their ability to influence some persons around the Black Stars.

But Tanko said meritocracy is the basic requirement for selection into his team and that money has not been a factor.

“I never took money from anyone and I will never do it,” Tanko told Muftawu Nabilla.

“Because I don’t see why I should take money before I call someone who has the talent, who is a Ghanaian, who can help us. Sometimes you hear about coaches who you respect very well and this is not how it is supposed to be. For me, nobody comes to me to give me money and I will never take it.”

Before his current job, Tanko served as assistant Black Stars coach and head coach for the national under-23 team.