Some Ghanaians have taken to social media to claim that the Black Stars suffered a humiliating Round of 16 exit at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations because match officials across Africa are not giving the country fair decisions because of a football documentary by journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas.
The fans say the Black Stars have been on the end of some unfair decisions by match officials since the undercover documentary accused African officials of taking bribes.
Claiming that some bad refereeing decisions have gone against the Black Stars since the start of the competition with the first red card of the tournament going to defender John Boye in a decision widely condemned.
The latest incident occurred in yesterday's 5-4 penalty shootout loss against Cameroon where some Ghanaians fans felt South African referee Victor Gomes wrongly disallowed a goal for a handball by Thomas Partey who set up Jordan Ayew.
Video replays, though, showed the ball came off the Atletico Madrid man's chin.
Ghana suffered a disastrous misfortune in Egypt on Monday when they were bundled out in the last 16 by Tunisia, condemning a side that once ruled African football to their earliest exit since 2006.
The Black Stars had won more Cup of Nations titles than any other country when they were last crowned champions in 1982 but their four trophies have since been surpassed by both Egypt (seven) and Cameroon (five).
Ghana had made it to the semi-finals at the six previous tournaments but came up short on each occasion, and the writing was on the wall once again in Ismailia after they had an effort ruled out by the referee and twice hit the woodwork.
Kenya's Adel Range Marwa lost his place at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia after being filmed receiving a $600 'gift'.
Anas' undercover team were also filmed handing over money in the referees' changing room just an hour before kick-off of a match in the regional West African Football Union (Wafu) Cup between Ghana and Mali.
The undercover reporters had been guided there by Charles Dowuna, a technical instructor - also Ghanaian - for the competition.
Dowuna received funds totalling some $2,500 during the 16-team tournament. The BBC contacted Dowuna but he declined to respond.
On top of dozens of Ghanaian referees accepting money ahead of domestic matches, a game in African football's most important club competition is also highlighted by the investigation.
Ivory Coast referee Denis Dembele accepted $700 ahead of the Round of 32 clash between Ghana's Aduana Stars and Algeria's Entente Setif in this season's Champions League.
The referees all denied wrongdoing claiming the methods used to film was only calculated for them to be taken to taking money without the real background of what conversations took place.
This has led to some Ghana fans to conclude that African referees are angry over how they badly characterized in the documentary and are exacting revenge against the Black Stars.
Below are some of the comments:
All this punishment meted out to us by the referee is cos of Anas Aremeyaw Anas no. 12.#BadEvening
— Prince Ishmael Dimah (@dimahGhana) July 8, 2019
Africa referees are @ war with Ghana sake of anas bullshit. #BlackStars we will prevail..
— ORIGINAL TAILOR .GUY02 ?? (@rufusantrah) July 8, 2019
Let's blame Anas Aremeyaw Anas for this loss. No. 12 effect..should ve been 2:1 on pitch.
— Prince Ishmael Dimah (@dimahGhana) July 8, 2019
It be ANAS he cause all this... Like Kwasi Nyantakyi go sort out all the Referees, then we go win ??♂️??♂️ #BlackStars2019 #AFCON
— Kelvin Shiroro (@kelvin_shr3) July 8, 2019
Bah chale echeq like African referees dem bore Black Stars sake of Anas something no oo.
See how dem dey mafia we#BlackStars #GHATUN #AFCON
— Kobby. Founda (@Founda_) July 8, 2019
In any way, Anas cause we, if Nyantakyi dey like he go sort the referee. Smh?♂️#BlackStars #AFCON19 #AFCON
— Abena Barbs?? (@abenabarbz) July 8, 2019
The whole world, Ebi Ghana referees dey hate after the #Number12 from Anas. #BlackStars #AFCON #GHATUN
— Nækua (@NanaAkuaTachie) July 8, 2019
When Anas exposed corruption in our football. An area we all love and I / we took action. We won the AFCON for the first time in 37 years, they would have said ahead of 2020 elections.
And you'll hear vuvuzelas at the background.
— Muftawu Nabila (@Muftawu_Nabila) July 8, 2019
Referee Gomes figga he dey do payback time plus we. Ebi Anas who go bribe you not Ghanaians as a whole. #BlackStars #AFCON
— amponsah?❤️ (@amakye_xl) July 8, 2019
I'm yet to see the relevance of Anas' exposé on Ghana football. It disrupted the management of our football association affecting both national and local clubs
— Koala (@Ms_Bansah) July 10, 2019
Don't blame the Black Stars players blame the stupid guy Anas if not that stupid videos he show like Ghana we will win the cup this year oo the referee's all vex Ghana @ameyaw112 @ReggieRockstone @HappyFMGhana @Okay1017fm
— RayJayGh (@JoeRayGh) July 10, 2019
Anas number 12 was fraud and a hatchet job, we all know that. He has ruined Ghana football. He doesn't know what it takes to run football. He thinks football is abt the 11 players on the field. Now his credibility is in tatters and many don't take him serious again.
— N'yaba Abu (@AbuMubarik) July 9, 2019
Let's blame Anas Aremeyaw Anas for this loss. No. 12 effect..should ve been 2:1 on pitch.
— Prince Ishmael Dimah (@dimahGhana) July 8, 2019
Even with VAR , they would still have disallowed it . You can’t just disgrace referees and expect favours from them . The referees seem ‘teamed up’ against Ghana coz of Anas’ expose’
— Bright Boateng (@brighta204) July 8, 2019
You need to curse Anas first ... he caused this . Almost every referee dislike Ghana now
— Bright Boateng (@brighta204) July 8, 2019
Kwesi Appiah di333 he can stay if he want to but Nyantakyi we are missing u already. Ghana wouldn't have come this early exit...... that Anas di3333 Hmmm God dey......#JoyNews
— Razzy Jahmiel Jhunea (@zackie_jhunea) July 8, 2019
I blame Anas... now all the referees no dey like Ghana. And like by now Kwesi Nyantekyi do en job make we qualify sef
— wondabwoy (@wondabwoy_nie) July 9, 2019
Sad truth. Ghana has played in 3 major tournaments after the expose, and the level of poor officiating against Ghana is just too much. Slowly we under estimate this fact. But Anas expose has practically been our bane. How can this clear goal be disallowed against the Black Stars? https://t.co/y7cRer2Niv
— Kojo Sarkodie (@ksarktacchini) July 8, 2019
we Ghana paa will score a goal n a referee wl disallow whls Kwesi Nyantakyi wl b sitting @ vip watching de game??? naa.. no referee wl evn thnk of it.. but kwasia bi nti... #Anas is useless as his dreadlocks
— Iam Mr Bone (@I_am_MrBone) July 9, 2019
that idiot journalist called #Anas has successfully destroyed Ghana Football
— Iam Mr Bone (@I_am_MrBone) July 9, 2019
Please go and tell Anas he is the reason why most African referees hate Ghana https://t.co/3eH3ZdiINv
— Nana Appiah Streetking Chiefaro (@NStreetking) July 9, 2019
First All have our football improved after Anas Number 12? Exposing corruption in football rather destroyed football in Ghana. Our League is poor even the national teams are getting poorer. #DropThatCoach
— Kwame Nkansah (@KBNkansah) July 9, 2019
Anas single-handedly ruined Ghana football. Lmao
— Nhardeeyah (@kwesi_win) July 9, 2019
Who agrees with me that Anas is the sole cause of Ghana's failure? But still #DropThatCoach
— Lvrd Drillz? (@khoby_scryb) July 9, 2019
Who agrees with me that Anas is the sole cause of Ghana's failure? But still #DropThatCoach
— Lvrd Drillz? (@khoby_scryb) July 9, 2019
I always said it. Anas f*cked Ghana up. That no.12 is not important. Common AFCON there’s no Ghana referee. What did we expect? Every African referee will hate us. Anas is devil and I hate him for that no.12
— Ohene Kojo Wassaw (@iwassow) July 8, 2019
Anas destroyed Ghana football #GHATUN #BlackStars2019 #AFCON #AFCONonCiti #GhanaTunisia #
— Kofi Wells (@kofi_wells) July 8, 2019
So government is to blame anaa? ?
— THE_ BLACK_GODFATHER (@sammyforson) July 8, 2019
Absolutely true, for once I have admitted this, that documentary is harming the nation more than good
— Acheampong Michael (@Michael80805591) July 9, 2019