Claims of nepotism have caused drama among the 1500 Ghanaian fans who flew to South Africa to cheer on the Black Stars.

Ghanaian newspapers reported that tickets meant for soccer fans, selected to travel to South Africa by municipal lottery, were given to the girlfriends and wives of officials.

Two supporters, who asked to be called Kwabena and Kojo, told The Times that "bribery and corruption" led to the fans being flown home early by order of Ghana President John Evans Mills.

But Ghana's high commissioner, Lee Ocran, denied this, saying the "troublemakers", without tickets, were not sent by his government. The fans said the drama started at El-wak sports stadium near the Kotoka International Airport in Accra about two weeks ago.

Kojo said: "When we got there, we found out that some people were able to secure visas without having their names on the government lists. They were getting in through the back door."

When they arrived in South Africa, they were taken by bus to the Muzinda Residence, a private student hostel in Pretoria West, where members of an organising committee affiliated to Ghana's sports ministry told them 1150 tickets had been secured for the fans.

But last Saturday, as they were preparing to leave for Ghana's match against Australia at Rustenburg's Royal Bafokeng stadium, they were told only 600 tickets were available.

Kwabena said this was because organising committee officials were selling the others "at the Ghana Cafe [Pretoria] and some officials brought their girlfriends and wives, who had tickets".

Outside the stadium, about 600 Ghanians waited in vain for tickets to attend the game. "Somebody brought about 20 tickets, threw them in the air, and everyone would just scramble - just like survival of the fittest," said Kojo.

About 200 of the fans protested outside the Pretoria residence, and the police were called. "We were speaking harsh words against the organising committee, so they called the police," said Kwabena.

Gauteng police spokesman Colonel Eugene Opperman said there was a "small protest" in Pretoria on Saturday. "Police told them that they couldn't [protest], and they understood that. There were no incidents reported," he said.

Ghanian media reported yesterday that the order for the fans' return came directly from Mills.

Peace FM's website said the president "questioned the efficiency of the committee tasked to cater for the fans". But Ocran said his government sent only sent 996 fans, and the estimated 600 fans who complained of not having tickets came through their own "organisations and political parties".

"We even asked Fifa if we can order additional tickets for those friends because the Ghanaian government is a father to all of us."

Ocran said he visited the fans to investigate their allegations.

"The only thing they were complaining about was that they were being given food from McDonald's." Ocran denied his president ordered them to return early.