Who Is Nana Kwaku Bonsam? Ghana’s ‘Devil Of Wednesday’ Linked To Harry Kane FIFA World Cup Curse

At 79% possession, you would expect a team like England to comfortably score two or three goals in a crucial World Cup clash. Instead, in a twist of irony, the Three Lions found themselves repeatedly denied by a resolute Ghanaian goalkeeper, eventually settling for a frustrating 0-0 draw. Despite controlling the tempo for most of the game, England simply couldn't find the finishing touch.

The moment that summed up their night came late on, when captain Harry Kane, in red-hot form for Bayern Munich, miscued a golden rebound opportunity, sending the ball high into the stands when it seemed easier to score.

While for a normal football pundit, the missed chance represented a clear-cut goal-scoring opportunity for the English skipper, fans in the stands got into a debate over whether the infamous 'JUJU' magic of Ghana is making its rounds once again in the FIFA World Cup 2026.

But, why is this 'Juju' curse becoming an overnight folklore, and who is this mysterious Ghanaian doctor who is pulling strings from Accra!

Nana Kwaku Bonsam: The Devil Of Wednesday

The exchange stemmed from a pre-match claim by Nana Kwaku Bonsam, a Ghanaian witch doctor whose name translates to "Devil of Wednesday." He told The Daily Star that he had used black magic against Harry Kane.

Bonsam pointed to his past claims for credibility, including an assertion in 2014 that he was responsible for a knee issue that threatened Cristiano Ronaldo's participation before Portugal faced Ghana at the World Cup. He said he was now focusing on Kane and believed he knew what was required to limit the England striker's impact. At the same time, he clarified that he did not intend to cause serious harm, only enough to prevent Kane from performing effectively against Ghana.

But, contrary to the traditional imagery, Bonsam stands apart from the typical image of a witch doctor. He has ventured into politics, having once contested a parliamentary election! He has also built a significant following during his time in the Bronx, home to a large Ghanaian community. When he returned to Kumasi, he was greeted by large crowds at the airport.

His lifestyle reflects that prominence; he is known to drive a Cadillac, dress in designer labels like Dolce & Gabbana, and manage a large personal and professional network that includes 14 children, a cattle farm, and multiple shrines and schools. Over the years, he has lived in cities such as New York, Amsterdam, and Berlin. About a decade ago, The New York Times profiled him as a traditional priest who inspires both admiration and criticism for his claimed spiritual influence.

In Ghana, however, beliefs around juju often carry deeper weight. According to a Ghanaian fan, Joseph, quoted by the Indian Express, Juju is something that runs deep in the country and is popular even amongst the educated lot. Poor performances are sometimes attributed to spiritual interference, while success can also be linked to similar beliefs. Even so, he noted that not everyone subscribes to these views, and many dismiss them altogether.

CAF's Warning To Witch Doctors

The belief runs deep enough that CAF once felt compelled to address it directly. According to a 2008 statement from CAF, "We are no more willing to see witch doctors on the pitch than cannibals at the concession stands."

The statement came after a string of incidents took place involving charms, powders, and spiritual advisers featuring regularly at African tournaments. Interestingly, some countries like Zambia have taken a more stern recourse to this practice and outlawed these occult practices completely.

Coming back to the game, the final whistle only deepened the sense of disbelief. England had dominated possession, created chances, and still couldn't find a way past Ghana's resolute defence. Declan Rice summed it up with a wry smile, saying they had tried everything, shots, headers, set-pieces, but nothing worked, joking that maybe the black magic people were talking about had something to do with it.

It was said in jest, yet it perfectly captured the strange mood of the night. Because while logic pointed to missed chances and a standout goalkeeping display, the whispers of "juju" refused to fade. And as fans drifted away, the match felt less like a goalless draw and more like one of those World Cup stories where football and folklore quietly collide.