Accra, Feb 11 : Ghana President John Dramani Mahama announced $25,000 as cash reward for each player of the country's football team that finished runners-up in the just-ended African Cup of Nations (AFCON).

President Mahama made the announcement when players and technical handlers of the team met him at the Flagstaff House here Tuesday, reports Xinhua.

The team, known as Black Stars, lost 8-9 to Cote d'Ivoire in a dramatic penalty shootout last Sunday in the Equatorial Guinea city of Bata.

The package has been put together by the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC), the principal sponsors of the Black Stars.

He congratulated the Stars for their spirited display in the 16-nation tournament saying , "the Black Stars have restored our confidence in the senior national football team".

This is Ghana's second silver medal after losing to Egypt in the 2010 AFCON final.