Witchcraft has been associated with African culture for hundreds of years, yet does it play any part in African football? With such a deep-rooted influence for so long, it stands to reason there is some sort of effect on the sport. No restrictions are limiting the use of witchcraft.
Moreover, the practice has been used to influence football teams to achieve results. It might seem like a fantasy to football fans in the West, and a trick to attract readership, nonetheless, witchcraft is a reality in African football.
Several surprising stories prove that fact. You will be pleasantly surprised about the subject if you haven’t heard about such supernatural occurrences so far. Read about it hereunder and discover just how much witchcraft has infiltrated African football.
One can barely think of a better use of witchcraft than assisting your national team in succeeding at the African Cup of Nations. It is the most prestigious competition on the African continent for national teams. There has been no shortage of juju used in previous editions of the cup. For instance, when Ghana played against Guinea in the opening match of the 2008 competition, numerous Ghana fans carried a juju pot to keep evil spirits far from their team and help them to win.
Of course, no one can be entirely sure that had any influence on the outcome of the game; however, Ghana did squeeze through with a last-gasp goal scored by legend Sulley Muntari. Was it skill, pot-luck, or something spiritual from beyond. The fans are convinced that witchcraft was responsible for their team’s victory.
Further back during the 2002 African Nations Cup, there was even more speculation about the influence of witchcraft. When Mali was scheduled to play Cameroon, the match was mysteriously postponed due to unforeseen circumstances. The police arrested Cameroon’s goalkeeping coach for placing a spiritual charm on the pitch. There was a similar occurrence
in the 2000 competition when another magical charm was placed in Senegal’s goalmouth. It had to be removed eventually by a member of the Nigerian Football Association.
Witchcraft was prevalent and a common occurrence in the Rwandan Premier League.
However, after a bizarre incident in 2016, football chiefs were compelled to create rules banning superstitious rituals on the field of play. The event was during a game between Mukura Victory and Rayon Sports. A striker was observed placing a tiny object near the opposing team’s goalposts. The visibly distraught goalkeeper immediately removed the charm; however, the spell seemed to work instantly, as the forward scored a goal just moments after. That incident led to the Federation of Rwanda Football Association imposing strict penalties for teams using any other means than their football skills to gain an
advantage on the field of play. Clubs subsequently found to be involved in any form of witchcraft will be fined 2,9 million RWF and have three points deducted.
The French certainly thought so when their squad was kicked out of the tournament during the early group stages of the 2002 World Cup. The midfielder Emmanuel Petit was convinced the Senegal team used witchcraft in some form or other against his team during their encounter, and even claims to have proof in his possession. Petit recounted how he
was approached by a street vendor a year before the match. He was told France would lose against Senegal by one goal to nil. Petit went on to mention the vendor predicted that powerful marabouts in their country would ensure victory for Senegal. They did end up winning that game accurately as the vendor forecasted by 1 – 0 despite the French onslaught
on the goal of Senegal with numerous shots on target. Was it bad luck, or was there something more mysterious in play? With several miraculous misses during that match, no one can be entirely sure if it was bad luck or witchcraft!
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