Sports
Do we still believe juju wins the game?
Years back – especially in the 1980s and 1990s, Ghanaian club officials and players alike, had no iota of shame talking about their involvement in juju.
They believed that juju has what it takes to win games; their belief more enlarged when a ‘magical’ goal zooms out of the blue – perhaps, by way of deflection or through a horrendous blunder in the area.
So, what is juju?
According to Ibo Cbanga, a contributor to SAGE Publications’s Encyclopedia of African Religion, juju is an object that has been deliberately infused with magical power or the magical power itself.
He says the word juju is believed to be derived from the French joujou (plaything), though some sources claim it is from the Hausa language, meaning “fetish” or “evil spirit.”
“Amulets, charms, and mascots are all common forms of juju. Usually worn for protective purposes, those objects have been infused with a particular type of energy, and wearing them is expected to create paths and possibilities for the wearer, as well as guard them against ill fortunes and evil spirits,” he added.
Though the practice is still furtively prevalent, some decent number of Ghanaian football fans now see hard-work, adequate preparation, athlete development, logistical support, et al, as some of the indispensable ingredients that can guarantee success.
Indeed, club officials particularly, the player and to some extent – supporters, assert that it takes more than ‘black magic’ to win games.
It, therefore, came as huge stunner when supporters of Berekum Chelsea sadistically attacked head coach of Ebusua Dwarfs, Ernest Thompson Quartey, during a Premier League game at Berekum Golden City Park, a fortnight ago – on suspicion of carrying juju on him into the game. After all the savage beatings, nothing was found on the clean-handed man.
That is the extent to which some of the fans dread and revere juju – instead of looking for ways to motivate their players; and instead of thinking about providing the intrinsic and extrinsic motivation to their players to deliver the goods.
When at all are our people going to rid their minds of this juju farce? It is sickening and becoming too much of an embarrassment.
On Wednesday February 19, 2019, something strange happened at the Nana Agyemang Badu Park during a premier league clash between home team Aduana Stars and Asante Kotoko.
It goes without saying that the two teams stunningly started the game with 10 men for the entire opening half whilst their 11th players sat out at the touchline bewildered. Aduana’s Farouk Adams and Kotoko’s Martin Antwi were supposed to be the 11th players for their teams.
Yes, the two clubs did not break any of the rules of the game. Indeed, a club is permitted to start with as low as seven players.
But it is quite bizarre and grotesque to imagine that professional clubs – for whatever reasons, will want to start a Premier League game with a man short of the normal list – when they had all their substitutes hanging out at the dungeon.
Desperate for victory, we are told the two clubs had separately consulted some oracles (juju) that had predicted victory if only they started the game with 10 men. Interesting, not so?
It is shameful, primitive, and totally senseless!
True, we have got to a stage where such superstitions ought to be hurled all-too quickly out in place of professionalism.
What lessons are the two clubs imparting ontheir players by engaging in this metaphysical theatrics? That juju or superstition is the way to go instead of working their fingers to the bone?
King of Vodoo in neighbouring Togo, Anthony Kodjo Djifan, once told this writer that vodoo and juju share similar traits, believing juju plays football; but then it would take the effort of the team or player to put the ball into the net.
“I can confirm that teams from within Togo as well as neighbouring countries and regions come to seek help from me. However, I always advise them that hardwork on the field is the adrenaline to make the juju work,” he said.
Having said that it is incumbent on the Ghana Football Association (GFA) to investigate into the Berekum incident where Coach Thompson Quarteywas brutalised, and bring the perpetrators to book. Heartily, the GFA had its cameras at the Golden City Park and may have captured the sordid incident.
We must make sure incidents of this nature do not go unpunished; otherwise, we would only be endorsing its brutality and savagery in the long run, and this does not auger well for the development of our football.
PlainTalk with JOHN VIGAH
THE Ghana Premier League (GPL) enters another exciting weekend with Asante Kotoko and Medeama SC set for a crucial showdown while Accra Hearts of Oak seek to strengthen their title challenge and FC AshantiGold 04 begin life after the departure of Coach Abdul Karim Zito.
The Matchday 9 fixtures, scheduled for today and tomorrow, promise another round of compelling contests as clubs battle for early season supremacy, continental ambitions and stability.
The headline fixture is the meeting between the Porcupine Warriors and the Mauve and Yellow at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium tomorrow where both sides will be eager to make a statement.
Kotoko will have the advantage of home support but the Tarkwa-based side are expected to provide a stern test for the Porcupine Warriors.
The Kumasi giants have endured an inconsistent opening to the campaign, with their recent results highlighting the need for greater consistency if they are to mount a serious title challenge.
Their 1-1 draw with FC AshantiGold 04 in the previous fixture underlined the difficulties they have faced in turning competitive performances into maximum points.
Against Medeama, the Reds must combine defensive discipline with greater attacking efficiency. Playing before their home supporters could provide the necessary lift, but they would need to avoid giving the visitors opportunities to exploit any defensive lapses.
Medeama, meanwhile, will travel to Kumasi determined to demonstrate why they are among the teams expected to challenge for the title.
For both clubs, victory would offer more than three points. It would provide an important psychological boost and strengthen their position in an increasingly competitive title race.
Hearts of Oak will also be among the teams attracting considerable attention as they travel to face Debibi United tomorrow.
The Phobians have made encouraging progress in recent weeks, with their defensive solidity and growing confidence giving supporters reasons to believe that a sustained title challenge is possible.
Their 1-0 victory over Basake Holy Stars, secured through Martin Karikari’s late strike, strengthened their position at the summit of the league after eight matches. The result also extended their winning run to three matches.
However, maintaining that momentum away from home will be another test of their credentials.
Debibi United will be determined to frustrate the visitors and use home advantage to their benefit.
Hearts must, therefore, approach the encounter with patience and discipline, particularly if their opponents adopt a compact defensive approach.
With the standings still capable of changing significantly at this early stage, maximum points could help Hearts consolidate their position at the top or reclaim it, depending on the results of their closest challengers.
Another major talking point is the decision by FC AshantiGold 04 to part ways with Head Coach and Technical Director, Abdul Karim Zito, Assistant Coach Ernest Okyere, and goalkeepers’ trainer, Robert Dabo.
The development comes as AshantiGold prepare to visit Swedru All Blacks tomorrow, presenting an immediate test for the club’s caretaker technical team.
The question is whether the coaching changes will produce the desired reaction or further unsettle a side still searching for consistency.
Swedru All Blacks, who will enjoy home advantage, will be keen to capitalise on any disruption within the visitors’ camp.
Elsewhere, Aduana FC would host Berekum Chelsea in a potentially tight contest, while Basake Holy Stars welcome Dreams FC.
Heart of Lions will face Bechem United, and Samartex take on Bibiani Gold Stars in another intriguing fixture. Vision FC will meet Port City today, while Young Apostles host Karela United tomorrow.
By Enoch Ntiamoah Siaw
SKIP THE QUEUE, TAP THE NEWS
You can now read the Ghanaian Times and The Spectator newspapers from the comfort of your device via TimesNewsPlus.
Join our WhatsApp Channel: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbBElzjInlqHhl1aTU27
THE 24th edition of the Accra Seniors Tennis Open Championship, organised by the Accra Lawn Tennis Club, is scheduled to take place from Monday, November 23 to Saturday, December 5, 2026, organisers have announced.
Consequently, registration for the tournament has opened, offering professional and amateur players an opportunity to participate in the competition that assembles the best of the aged in the tennis fraternity.
Registration will close on Friday, November 20, 2026, with the draw and viewing for the competition scheduled for Saturday, November 21, 2026 and Sunday, November 22, 2026, respectively.
Entry fees have been pegged at GH¢150 for the singles event and GH¢200 for the doubles event.
Matches will be played on weekdays from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. and on weekends from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
The competition will feature various categories, including ladies’ singles, men’s singles, ladies’ doubles, men’s doubles, advanced social singles and doubles, as well as mixed doubles.
In the ladies’ singles event, players will compete in different age categories, including those aged up to 39 years.
The men’s singles event will feature players in the 25–34, 35–44 and 55–64 age categories.
For the ladies’ doubles event, participants will compete in the under-40 and 40-and-above categories, while the men’s doubles event will feature players aged 35–44, 45–54, 55–64, 65–69 and 70 years and above.
The advanced social singles and doubles categories, for both men and women, are designed for high-level amateur players seeking competitive matches outside the demands of professional and semi-professional circuits.
The mixed doubles event will also provide an opportunity for players to compete in combined male and female pairings.
The tournament is expected to attract players of different ages and skill levels, with spectators anticipated to witness exciting displays of skill, technique and sportsmanship throughout the competition.
By Benjamin Arcton-Tettey
SKIP THE QUEUE, TAP THE NEWS
You can now read the Ghanaian Times and The Spectator newspapers from the comfort of your device via TimesNewsPlus.
Join our WhatsApp Channel: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbBElzjInlqHhl1aTU27
