Did England’s 0-0 draw with Ghana make Bonsam’s boast seem credible?

Question

Accepted Answer

England's 0-0 Draw Against Ghana Led to Speculation About a Witch Doctor's Boast

England's goalless draw against Ghana on June 24 led to widespread social media speculation that a boast by a self-proclaimed Ghanaian witch doctor, Nana Kwaku Bonsam, had proven credible. Bonsam had publicly stated his intention to "work on" England's captain, Harry Kane, to prevent him from scoring in the World Cup match. Following the game, in which Kane did not score, many online users joked that Bonsam's alleged spell had been effective.
Bonsam's Pre-Match Claim to Neutralise Kane

Nana Kwaku Bonsam, whose name translates to "Devil of Wednesday," asserted before the match that he possessed the means to neutralise England's primary attacking threat, Harry Kane. According to reports, Bonsam claimed he knew precisely what actions were necessary to impede the England captain, stating, "I am working on Harry Kane... I have shown what I am capable of before so I know what work I must do to stop him." He clarified that his intention was not to cause serious injury but merely to prevent Kane from scoring against Ghana.
Kane's Inability to Score in the Match

Despite controlling possession for significant periods, England struggled to create definitive scoring opportunities during the 90 minutes against Ghana. Harry Kane himself had a notable chance to break the deadlock but was unable to convert. The match ultimately concluded in a 0-0 draw, leaving both teams with four points in Group L and Ghana on the verge of advancing to the World Cup knockout stage.
Social Media Reaction to the Outcome

The anticlimactic result, particularly Kane's failure to score, prompted a surge of commentary on social media platforms. Users quickly drew parallels between Bonsam's pre-match pronouncements and the match's outcome, with many joking that the witch doctor's claimed intervention had indeed worked. This reaction highlighted the intersection of folklore, superstition, and modern football.
Precedent of Bonsam's Claims

This incident was not the first time Nana Kwaku Bonsam had inserted himself into football narratives with supernatural claims. Previously, ahead of Ghana's 2014 World Cup match against Portugal, Bonsam alleged responsibility for Cristiano Ronaldo's knee injury. He claimed to have used supernatural powers to affect the Portuguese star, stating at the time, "I know what Cristiano Ronaldo’s injury is about, I’m working on him."

Reading history

Hide →

This history is cleared when the page is closed.

Did England’s 0-0 draw with Ghana make Bonsam’s boast seem credible?

Loading

Was this article helpful?

Helpful

Not helpful

Report an issue

1

0

0

Share with friends