AFCON: GHANAIAN MEDIA BLOCK TEAM’S BUS, DEMAND INTERVIEW WITH PLAYERS AFTER MOZAMBIQUE DRAW (VIDEO)
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Angry members of the Ghanaian media appeared to show their frustration with the national team after their latest result left them on the brink of elimination from the Africa Cup of Nations.
Ghana were on the verge of qualifying from their group only to concede two stoppage time goals during their 2-2 draw with Mozambique.
They are now left requiring a miracle to qualify to the next phase as one of the four best third-placed sides, with hosts Ivory Coast and whoever finishes third in Group E already guaranteed to place higher than Ghana due to having more points.
Ghanaian journalist Saddick Adams posted a series of videos after the match showing members of the media showing their anger at the team, demanding to speak to the players who instead headed for the team bus.
It was claimed that they blocked the only exit out of the stadium for the Ghana team bus to go and that after an hour the players eventually had to walk through the media mixed zone – with some journalists at that point too angry to ask questions and even booing the team bus.
The videos posted by Adams showed high levels of emotion and anger from what he claimed were members of the Ghanaian media.
One video he captioned: ‘The level of angst here among the Ghana media, I only pray these group do not ever pass the mixed zone.’
Another post said that they had ‘taken it upon ourselves to sack however deserved a sack’ – starting with manager Chris Hughton.
In one video, an angry group are seen looking at the Ghanaian team bus, with a line of security blocking their way.
One person is heard saying: ‘We are waiting for them, we are waiting for them.
‘We won’t do anything, we just want to ask them questions.
‘We won’t touch anybody we are just asking questions. We are asking questions as media we won’t touch anybody.’
A couple of members of the media are then heard shouting ‘bring the players out’
Adams wrote alongside that video: ‘CAF security has called for reinforcement. The media just want to meet the team. We are not leaving until they come. We won’t tolerate this level of embarrassment and wastage again. If powers won’t do, we will let them know how it feels to play for this team. If you hear any of us arrested, we will be safe.’
In another message he wrote: ‘ More armed police here to contain the angry Ghana Media. But no. We have tolerated this for far too long. This team was built with the toil and sweat of a few honest and dedicated individuals. We won’t allow a few to destroy it. Today, we will show them our anger.’
Another video showed one person shouting at someone else calling them a ‘stupid man’ and a ‘foolish c***’.
The morning after the game Adams wrote that the Ghanaian media ‘didn’t go in to attack anyone’ and ‘stood for over half an hour’ before realising the players weren’t coming to the mixed zone and were instead heading for the team bus.
He revealed that they blocked their only exit out of the stadium and that after a further hour, police noticed they weren’t going to give in so the players had to come down and walk through the mixed zone.
He added: ‘At this point, some journalists were visibly incensed and decided not to ask any questions since the players had earlier resolved not to come.
‘Others booed the team as seen in the videos. Obviously, emotions were high. There were use of some unpleasant words by some, which was condemned there and called for decorum. Emotions because these guys first and foremost love the Black Stars as fans. But nobody was ready to harm anyone. Nobody vandalised any bus.’
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