Juju: How clubs use dark arts in Kenyan football

Although the modern football landscape is defined by professionalism, high-profile sponsorships, and television coverage, the influence of traditional beliefs and practices remains robust in Kenyan football (Photo: Courtesy) In the world of football, where the line between superstition and skill often blurs, the whispers of "juju" - the mystical forces believed to influence fate - seem to echo louder with each passing season. In Kenya, football transcends mere recreation; it embodies a fervour that brings together countless fans, athletes, and officials nationwide. Yet, beneath the vibrant surface of this beloved sport lies a shadowy and frequently overlooked aspect - witchcraft. Although the modern football landscape is defined by professionalism, complete with strict guidelines, high-profile sponsorships, and television coverage, the lingering influence of traditional beliefs and practices remains surprisingly robust in Kenyan football. Recently, Kenya Police FC board chairperson Bishop Dr Fred Akama hit the headlines when he came out to talk about the use of dark arts when it comes to the most popular sport in the universe. His team was scheduled to play against their FKF Premier League opponents, and what transpired according to the man of cloth, can only be witnessed on Nollywood's finest. The clergy and members of his board were awakened deep at night by phone calls. It was from the security team manning the Police Sacco Stadium, where the match was scheduled to take place. "So in the night, we got a call from the security people informing us that there were some gentlemen who were trying to access the stadium at about 1 am, with a coffin. They came in a hearse and wanted to get the coffin into the stadium. The security people ran them off and then called us," he told The Nairobian. The following day early in the morning, Bishop Akama says people from the opposing team came dressed in white clothes and started sprinkling water from bottles to where fans would be seated and all over the stadium. "As much people can dismiss witchcraft things as trivialities, dark powers exist. Since we believe in one God Jehovah, we had to pray to Him, because you don't overcome dark powers by natural means. I had not intended to attend the game because I was engaged in other matters, but I got a call from one of our high-ranking officials and he called me asking to come quickly stating that our opponents wanted to "play outside the field" or simply Kucheza Nje ya Uwanja," he shares. Being a crucial game for the club and already tied at the helm of the league standings with Tusker FC, dropping even a single point was not going to do. "I stopped what I was doing and rushed to the field in time to see them. The people had changed into civilian clothes and we could identify them because the players were in uniform. They started spraying the water by drinking and blowing it from their mouth. They did it on both goal fields, the midfield, the attacking areas, the balls that were to be used in the game," he says. The bishop went down to the same pitch and prayed, making what he calls a simple prayer for God to nullify all that they had witnessed. "As the game was going on, the officials of our opponents who were seated beside me, were talking among themselves and I could understand what they were saying. The "bigman" was very angry asking why the research or science was not working," Bishop Akama reveals. At that time, he did not understand but after a while they asked if the other guys had actually paid money for research or science interchanging the terminologies. This made him realise that they pay substantial amount of money for this "research" to be done. "I would later be told that research means the thing they had done before and not what we know out here. We ended up winning the game," he intimates. Bishop Akama says the issue is not new and not just a Kenyan affair pointing out to the Paul Pogba's case where the French international divulged that his own brother had cast some spell on him leading to a deep in his form and bad performances. The aspect of spirituality is real in football and all workplaces. There are numerous stories of players seeking the help of traditional healers or witches to gain "luck" during important matches. Some players wear charms or amulets believed to ward off injuries or boost their physical abilities. Others claim to use ritualistic practices before big games, seeking blessings or magical intervention to ensure victory. Former Kenyan international Collins Shivachi has seen it all during his playing time in the FKF Premier League, previously known as the Kenyan Premier League. The defender who plied his craft at several clubs and won a number of titles says the issue of juju is not new but remains a sore threat to football development. "I have played in the league for 13 years and I know it is a fact that there are teams and players who use juju to help them during the game. I was once influenced to such thinking and what I encountered was something that was almost fatal," said Shivachi. Shivachi discloses that he was once tasked with carrying the medicine and had been asked to drop on their goalpost. "I did not remove it as I was afraid of onlookers and this was my mistake. I remember one of my teammates told me to throw it away or drop it anywhere, but I could not bring myself to do it. Then during the game, our opponents had the ball and I jumped to head it out and someone hit me. Blood started gushing out of the head wound and the same teammate asked me again to remove the juju and throw it away. Since I was still lying on the ground, I removed it," he recounts. Shivachi says that after being attended to, he was beckoned to get back on the field and within a few minutes, his team scored. They ended up winning the game. "I would advise young players to not go towards that direction because even when you look at those who ascribe to that way of life, they do not have a long playing career. Something always happens to them," he says. A while back, a section of AFC Leopards fans asked the management to pay dues owed to former coach Sunday Kayuni, believing he might have cast a curse upon Ingwe. The Tanzanian was unceremoniously fired by then-chairman, the late Francis Chahonyo, just a few months after guiding Ingwe to their last league title in 1998. He is the last coach to win FKF PL title at the club. Despite being the most successful Kenyan coach in club football, former Tusker FC Robert Matano was accused during his reign at the former Premier League champions. He was accused of allegedly using black magic to win games, with opponents having encountered eggs on the pitch, with opposing players' names written on them. Nairobi City Stars, Nzoia Sugar FC and AFC Leopards are some clubs that claim to have encountered these mysterious eggs before and during their matches against Matano's team. However, the tactician who now coaches Fountain Gate FC refuted the claims saying football is all about tactics and not dark arts as many believe. "People say I break eggs and write opposing players' names to instill fear in them. Where do such antics work in this world? They can also break the eggs and win. Success in football is all about tactics, structures, motivation, and focus. There's nothing like juju," he diffused in an interview with Radio Jambo. Tusker FC fans Secretary General Maureen Gero says usage of dark arts in the game is more than just a mentality. She admits that she has met players who believe in using juju to up their game. "This is something that is deeper than what we see on the surface. Some people have spiritual and cultural ties to witchcraft and they believe in it. While the presence of witchcraft may be surprising in professional football, it's important to acknowledge that many players and coaches still come from communities where belief in traditional practices is widespread," she states. Most federation leaders and club officials argue that witchcraft has no place in professional football and instead focuses on issues such as player fitness, coaching techniques, and proper governance. "As fans, our concern is winning and we are only interested in the results on the pitch," she concludes. A number of incidents have occurred on the pitch, raising eyebrows on how much African footballers are obsessed with the matter. During a quarter-final match in 2000, a Nigerian FA official dashed onto the field to take down a charm that had been placed behind Senegal's goal. Ghana's Andre Ayew sprinkled a white powder onto the pitch before the 2015 Afcon final against Ivory Coast also shone the limelight on the use of Juju among African players. "We are no more willing to see witch doctors on the pitch than cannibals at the concession stands," read a 2008 statement from Caf. The iconic Yaya Toure from Ivory Coast and renowned manager Pep Guardiola encountered issues during their time at Manchester City and Barcelona. Many supporters argue that Guardiola's ineffective management of Toure played a significant role in his struggles to clinch the Uefa Champions League trophy. However, Toure would refute the claims after sharing his frustrations on the matter that clouded his legacy and relationship with fans of the clubs he previously played for. "My former agent is being quoted by the media about a 'curse'. Please don't associate me with this nonsense and lazy stereotypes about African curses!? Media... move on please. This man does not represent me in any way. Amplifying these stereotypes is harmful." He shared on X. While the presence of witchcraft may not be openly acknowledged or celebrated, it remains an enduring element of Kenyan football, one that intertwines culture, superstition, and the universal desire to win.

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