The country’s football association chief has revealed that his father was in charge of the spiritual aspect of the Phobians
Former Ghana Football Association president Alhaji Mohammed Nurudeen Jawula has revealed that his father was the spiritual head of Premier League champions Hearts of Oak.
Although, a section of Ghanaians believe juju doesn’t play a role in modern day football, Jawula insists it has some psychological urge over some people as it gives them extrinsic motivations ahead of games.
“My father came from Gonja, and he was then living in Accra and was then a mallam. He was working officially with Accra Hearts of Oak,” Jawula told Citi FM.
“My father was responsible for the club’s spiritual work (juju) at that time, and I am sure till now the club still believes in juju,” he said.
“All the clubs in Ghana practice juju. Let me be quick to add that even Brazilians and South Americans believe in that.
“I remember I took RTU to Korea in 1986 to play a game against Uruguay and the players spent the whole night praying under candles, reciting incantations and at the end of the game, they won 2-1. Maybe it is psychological, but the players believe it works, so that is what it is,” he added.
Hearts of Oak won their first Premier League title since 2009 in the just ended season and added the FA Cup trophy to it.
The Phobians will face Guinean club CI Kamsar in the preliminary stages of the Caf Champions next month.
Should they qualify after the two legs, Hearts will face Wydad Athletic Club of Morocco for a place in the group stage