Witchcraft has been a controversial topic in African football for decades now - some individuals believe most stakeholders including coaches and players use supernatural powers to prevent other clubs from succeeding.
Others argue that good or poor performance in football does not have anything to do with witchcraft.
In 2015, Gor Mahia and Yanga FC accused each other of using witchcraft. There were reports that K’Ogalo refused to use the main entrance since they had received information of Yanga FC having placed “Juju” there.
On the other hand, Yanga FC refused to use the changing rooms claiming Gor Mahia officials had laced it with charms.
Recently, former Kenyan Premier League (KPL) head coach Melis Medo resigned from a Tanzanian club due to witchcraft related concerns.
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The American coach who has African roots wrote a resignation letter blaming witchcraft for his troubles at Coastal Union FC.
“Thanks to all the Ghosts. Thanks for fighting success, I’ve had enough. You win, I’m so tired & I’m so done,” read his social media post.
Medo, who joined the Tanzanian side at the beginning of the season, managed only four wins in 15 league matches. Coastal Union also registered five draws and six loses with majority of those defeats coming in the last matches.
During the 2015/2016 Rwandan Premier League season, Rayon FC forward Moussa Camara ran towards Mukura Victory FC’s goal and removed an object that was placed on the goalpost which most fans believed had something to do with witchcraft.
Although the Guinean attacker was chased away by Mukura Victory’s shot stopper, he managed to score deep into the injury time to ensure the two teams grab a 1-1 draw.
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Camara was fined by the Rwandan Football Association and new rules were introduced with the aim of curbing the vice.
Seven-years-ago, Ghanian forward Andrew Ayew sprinkled a substance on the pitch prior to the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) final pitting Black Stars and Ivory Coast.
However, his action which most football fans believed to have something to do with witchcraft, did not pay off since Ghana went on to loss the final, ensuring the talented Cote D’ Ivoire squad that had the likes of Didier Drogba, Yaya Toure, and Gervais Yao Kouassi bag a continental title.
During the 2002 semi-final clash between Mali and Cameroon, the Indomitable Lions tactician Winfried Schafer and Thomas Nkono who was part of his technical bench placed an object on the field moments before the start of the match. The duo were apprehended by law enforcement officers shortly and charged with witchcraft related charges.
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