Deputy Sports Minister Nii Nortey Dua has advised stranded soccer fans who are still nursing the ambitions of travelling to South Africa to rent accommodation in Accra and pretend they went to South Africa. He suspects the supporters, for fear of being mocked at for not making the trip, are still loitering at the EL-Wak Sports Stadium nursing hopeless ambitions of flying to South Africa. The about 400 supporters who failed to make the list of a government-sponsored trip to South Africa are still clinching onto straws and assurances from some government appointees, hoping to go to South Africa for the World Cup. “Some people are saying that they have bid farewell to their family relations and their friends that they are going to South Africa. So if they go back they will feel very ashamed that they are not able to go. “Such people should go and hire proper place of accommodation and stay so that after the tournament they can go back and give the impression that they were in South Africa,” the Deputy Sports Minister told Elvis Adjetey on Joy FM Wednesday. His comments come amidst assurances to the supporters by Deputy Local Government Minister, Elvis Afriyie Ankrah that the remaining supporters at the stadium will be airlifted to South Africa. But the Deputy Sports Minister says neither the ministry nor the planning committee is aware of that arrangement. He reiterated that the government is incapable of funding their trip, having already airlifted 1,000 fans to South Africa under the government funded initiative to support the Black Stars. He said the government gave assurances to 1,000 supporters and has taken care of them, insisting the remaining supporters can explore other alternatives. But the Deputy Local Government Minister, Elvis Afriyie said he is surprised the ministry is unaware of the arrangement. He insists there is an arrangement by private individuals to get the remaining supporters to South Africa. Given the pressure on the Sports Ministry, he said it was understandable the position they have taken but added “as far as I know, those who have to know are aware.” Play the attached audio and listen to Mr Nortey Dua and Elvis Afriyie Ankrah. Story by Nathan Gadugah/Myjoyonline.com/Ghana