AFCON2023: Imposter accounts issuing apologies on behalf of Black Stars players

Days after the Black Stars’ exit from the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament, apology statements purported to have been issued by some players of the senior national team have emerged on social media.

However, Fact-Check Ghana has observed that some of the handles that have issued apologies are imposter accounts that do not relate to the players.

Even though some of the players including defenders Alexander Djiku and Salisu Mohammed and forward Joseph Paintsil have indeed apologised for the team’s debacle at the ongoing AFCON in Cote d’Ivoire, not all the regrets being shared on social media are true.

Words will certainly not be enough to erase the disillusionment.💔🙏🏾

We are disappointed and very sorry for our Ghanaian people that we have failed at this stage of the competition, but if you only knew how grateful we are to have been supported by you, our Ghanaian fans.❤️💛💚 pic.twitter.com/HJsAg4U4Jp

— Alexander Djiku (@alex_djiku) January 24, 2024

Disregard Richard Ofori’s parody account

Orlando Pirates Star, Richard Ofori, who was the regular goalkeeper for the Black Stars at the tournament had not issued any statement on the tournament after the team’s exit when Fact-Check Ghana checked from his official social media handles. But a parody account on X, @Richardθfori, has been doing a lot of posting.

Although the account’s bio indicates that its contents are parody or satirical, the handle (@Richardθfori) is still able to mislead many people with its posts.

The official social media handles of the Black Stars goalkeeper that Fact-Check Ghana can confirm are @rich.ofori on Instagram (IG) and @ROfori31 on X.

Dede Ayew has not issued an apology

Skipper Andre Dede Ayew has in previous tournaments apologized for the poor showing of the senior national soccer team, the most recent being the 2022 World Cup.  However, he is yet to issue an apology for the team’s exit from the ongoing AFCON, after the group stage, when Fact-Check Ghana checked his official account.

Nonetheless, many fake, impostor and parody accounts have made posts suggesting the captain of the Black Stars has apologised.

That’s was not how we wanted it, but that’s what we got. Life is full of uncertainties, I’m totally down to earth. We apologise to our lovely Ghanaian people. We hope the stats favour us, if not we go in hard next time 🙏 pic.twitter.com/RmPjZRZNF8

— ANDRE AYEW (@_AndreDedeAyew) January 23, 2024

On behalf of my teammates, I want to sincerely apologize to the people of Ghana.

We are deeply sorry for not performing well. All we have ever wanted is to serve our dear nation better with our gifts.

We will surely come back better. pic.twitter.com/UeGvesSSN2

— André Dede Ayew (@ayewdede10) January 24, 2024

Fact-Check Ghana can confirm that @andreayew10 on Instagram is the official handle of the captain. The handle which has a blue check on IG is where he had previously issued an apology.

The public is therefore urged to disregard other accounts posing as the two players.