Superstitions are not uncommon in sport, and football and its players are no exception to this rule. From the greatest in the sport to the myriad others hoping to become so, weird practices/routines before, during or after the game are as much as a part of playing the game itself the same was witnessed as DR Congo played Guinea in the much anticipated semi final as a well known Juju man from DR Congo was present inside the stadium doing his job.

But, does the practice take so much predilection that players concentrate more on persuading supernatural powers to help them out rather than putting their hard work on the field? Apparently, yes!

In Africa, where Juju is common among local people, the footballers are not that much different. Juju is “an object of any kind superstitiously venerated by West African native tribes, and used as a charm, amulet, or means of protection; a fetish. Also the supernatural or magical power attributed to such objects, or the system of observances connected therewith; also a ban or interdiction effected by means of such an object.” African footballers have been known to go to great lengths in getting juju to work for them as they believe charms and spells help them become victorious and at times even work against their opponents.

In the ongoing African Nations Championship also refered to as CHAN 2016 teams have not been left behind .DR Congo who qualified for the final of the tournament beating tough Guinea had a Juju man who was conspicuously present at the Amahoro Stadium as he mixed his concoctions and tied his ropes in anticipation to a Congolese win taking even the Rwandese police by surprise as he did his magic with juju pots in what was said he was trying to ward of the devils inorder to gurantee DR Congo a win wether this helped DR Congo to win after their keeper stopped the last penalty may be never known,but it does throw light on how much people think juju plays in football.

Collins Okinyo

Ex- CAF Media Expert. An expert on African football with over 15 years experience ,always with an ear to the ground with indepth knowledge of the game. I have worked for top publications including 7 years at www.supersport.com until i founded www.soka25east.com to quench the thirst of football lovers across the continent. I have trained young upcoming journalists who are now a voice in African football.I have covered World Cup,AFCON,CHAN,Champions League,Confederations Cup,Cecafa,Cosafa,Wafu and many other football tournaments across the World. Founder Football Africa Arena(FAA),Founder www.afrisportdigital.com