Who is Nana Kwaku Bonsam? Know About Viral Ghanaian Witch Doctor Trending After Harry Kane's Poor Show In England vs Ghana FIFA World Cup 2026 Draw

The sporting world is buzzing not just about the on-field action but also an extraordinary off-field claim following England's surprising 0-0 draw against Ghana in their FIFA World Cup 2026 Group L encounter. Ghanaian witch doctor Nana Kwaku Bonsam has stepped into the spotlight, asserting that his spiritual intervention, or 'juju', was behind England captain Harry Kane's unusually subdued performance and his failure to find the back of the net. Will Neymar Play in Scotland vs Brazil FIFA World Cup 2026 Football Match?.

Who is Nana Kwaku Bonsam?

In the immediate aftermath of the final whistle, fans and commentators quickly drew attention to comments made before kick-off by Nana Kwaku Bonsam. Translating loosely as the "Devil of Wednesday," Bonsam is one of Ghana's most widely recognized traditional doctors and spiritualists.

Bonsam has long occupied a unique space in Ghanaian public life. Far from an isolated figure, he operates a vast chain of shrines, schools, and a cattle farm in Ghana. He regularly divides his time between West Africa and international cities, including a prolonged stay in New York's Bronx district. He drives a Cadillac, wears high-end designer tracksuits, and once even ran as a candidate in a Ghanaian parliamentary election.

This is not the first time the spiritualist has targeted high-profile football fixtures. Ahead of the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, Bonsam claimed responsibility for a persistent knee injury suffered by Cristiano Ronaldo before Portugal faced Ghana in the group stage. Cristiano Ronaldo Reacts To Journalist's Lionel Messi Question, Star Portugal Player Says, ' I Don't Care About Others ...' (Watch Video).

England Held by Resilient Ghana

The highly anticipated Group L clash took place on Tuesday, June 23, 2026, at the Boston Stadium in Boston, Massachusetts, USA, kicking off at 9:00 PM BST. England, managed by Thomas Tuchel, entered the match on the back of a commanding 4-2 victory over Croatia, a game in which Harry Kane netted twice, pushing him close to surpassing Gary Lineker as England's all-time leading World Cup goalscorer. Ghana, meanwhile, had secured a 1-0 win against Panama in their opening fixture. Despite dominating possession with 78.8 percent – their highest ever in a World Cup match – England failed to score, marking the most possession by any side without a goal since records began. Kane himself notably missed a 'sitter' in the dying moments of the match.

Nana Kwaku Bonsam's 'Curse' Claim

Before the match, Nana Kwaku Bonsam, famously known as the 'Devil of Wednesday', made headlines by publicly declaring his intent to spiritually target Harry Kane. Speaking to the Daily Star, Bonsam stated, "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 aim was not to inflict serious injury but merely 'enough to stop him against my country'.

Bonsam is no stranger to such controversial claims. He gained international notoriety during the 2014 FIFA World Cup when he asserted responsibility for a knee injury suffered by Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo ahead of Portugal's match against Ghana. He maintained then that his methods were beyond traditional medicine and involved a special powder and rituals. His re-emergence with a focus on Kane has sparked significant discussion, particularly on social media, dividing opinion between those who dismiss it as pre-match mind games and those who take the spiritual claims more seriously. FIFA World Cup 2026 Schedule Today (June 25): Timings in IST, Venues, Groups.

Post-Match Video

Following Tuesday's result, Bonsam published a video on Facebook claiming his ritual had functioned as intended, before adding that he would now 'release' Kane to allow him to score in subsequent matches. While the narrative has been embraced as light-hearted banter by fans inside the stadium, the concept of juju or traditional magic remains a familiar talking point within African football folklore.

Within the England camp, figures looked strictly at the sporting realities of the match rather than supernatural elements. Midfielder Declan Rice praised the Ghanaian defensive discipline, jokingly adding, "Nothing worked... maybe the black magic was working." Football pundits instead pointed directly to tactical choices, highlighting England's slow build-up play and a lack of clinical precision in the final third as the definitive reasons for the draw

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 24, 2026 02:11 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).