Football has seen its fair share of mind games, but this might just take the cake. Ahead of England’s crucial World Cup clash with Ghana, a self-proclaimed medicine man from the West African nation has declared war on the Three Lions’ talisman, not with tactics or skill, but with supernatural powers.
Welcome to the bizarre world of international football, where curses and hexes apparently have a place alongside corner kicks and counter-attacks.
The witch doctor’s warning
Nana Kwaku Bonsam, a Ghanaian shaman who’s no stranger to football folklore, has set his sights on Harry Kane with an audacious promise, he’ll use his spiritual powers to neutralise England’s deadliest weapon before Tuesday evening’s showdown.
“I don’t wish him a serious injury. It will just be enough to keep him from playing against my country. I’ll do my best to ensure Ghana benefits from it,” Bonsam explained, as reported by Bayern Munich News.
The medicine man even doubled down on his supernatural credentials. “I’ve shown before what I’m capable of, so I know what I have to do to stop him.”
Bold words indeed, but does Bonsam’s track record back up the bluster?
History repeating?
This isn’t the witch doctor’s first rodeo. Bonsam previously made international headlines at the 2014 World Cup when he claimed to have cursed Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo. At the time, the Portuguese maestro was indeed battling knee problems.
However, football fans know how that story ended. Ronaldo not only made it to Brazil but delivered when it mattered most, scoring the decisive goal in Portugal’s 2-1 victory over, wait for it, Ghana.
Funny how these curses tend to backfire, isn’t it?
Kane in imperious form
If Bonsam’s hoping for a repeat performance of his supposed sorcery, he’s picked the wrong target at the wrong time. Harry Kane is absolutely flying.
The Bayern Munich striker opened England’s campaign with a brace in their stunning 4-2 demolition of Croatia, taking his World Cup tally to ten goals. That puts him level with England legend Gary Lineker, and just one strike away from becoming the Three Lions’ all-time leading scorer at football’s greatest tournament.
At 32, Kane is experiencing a purple patch that would make most strikers half his age envious. Last season alone, the English captain bagged an eye-watering 61 goals and contributed seven assists in 51 competitive matches for FC Bayern.
Will Nana Kwaku Bonsam’s mystical machinations derail Harry Kane’s record-breaking run? History suggests the only thing that can stop Kane right now is a well-drilled defence, tight marking, and perhaps a world-class goalkeeper having the game of his life. Curses? Not so much.
