Witch doctor claims responsibility for Kane's scoreless outing
A self-proclaimed Ghanaian witch doctor, Nana Kwaku Bonsam, has asserted that he placed a spiritual spell on England captain Harry Kane, rendering him goalless in their Group L clash at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The match, which took place on 24 June 2026, saw Kane fail to find the net, a result Bonsam attributes to his supernatural intervention.
Bonsam had publicly declared before the game that he would cast a spell to prevent Kane from scoring. Speaking to Reuters, he stated, "I told the world I would stop him, and I did. He could not score because my powers were stronger." The striker, who is England's all-time leading scorer, had a quiet game by his standards, managing only two shots on target before being substituted in the 75th minute.
Spiritual claims in football not new
This is not the first time Bonsam has claimed to influence football matches. He previously asserted that his spells affected games involving Ghana's national team and other international fixtures. While such claims are often met with skepticism, they highlight the cultural significance of spiritual practices in some regions of Africa, where traditional healers and spiritualists are consulted for various purposes, including sports.
England manager Gareth Southgate dismissed the notion, saying, "We prepare our players through rigorous training and tactics. Harry is one of the best in the world, and every striker has off days. The idea of a spell affecting his performance is ridiculous." However, Bonsam remains adamant, offering to remove the spell for a fee, though England has not responded to his offer.
Match outcome and implications
England won the match 2-1, with goals from Jude Bellingham and Bukayo Saka, ensuring their progression to the knockout stages. Ghana, despite a spirited performance, was eliminated from the tournament. Kane's lack of goals did not ultimately harm England's result, but it raised questions about his form heading into the later rounds.
According to FIFA statistics, Kane had scored in three of his previous four World Cup matches before this fixture. His failure to score against Ghana marked only the second time in his World Cup career that he was kept off the scoresheet. The incident has sparked debate online, with fans and pundits divided over whether spiritual claims should be taken seriously.
Bonsam, who operates from a shrine in Kumasi, Ghana, has gained notoriety for his bold predictions. He has previously claimed to have cursed opposition players in African Cup of Nations matches. While his methods are unverified, his statements continue to attract media attention, particularly during major tournaments like the World Cup.
