Ghc10,000 spent on prayers for Black Stars

Though there is nothing like payment of “ways and means” to ensure success for the senior national men’s soccer team, the Black Stars, monies are given to persons who invoke spiritual deities for the team, the Ghana Football Association (GFA) President has revealed.

Kwesi Nyantakyi said those who work in the name of God usually charge monies though that is not costed on the team but on individuals.


He disclosed that he spends as much as Ghc10,000 from his personal purse on spiritualists who pray for the team.


Mr. Nyantakyi disclosed this on TV3’s Hot Issues on Saturday, May 31.


People perform sacrifices for the team, he stated.


He said these people are from different religious backgrounds.


“It cuts across all religions,” he stressed.

'Ways and means'


Spiritualism was once cited as a bane to the Black Stars' success. A Former Black Stars Head Coach, Goran Stevanovic, once blamed failure of the team to reach the finals of the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations on spiritualism, referred to as juju or "ways and means".


“There is nothing like that,” Mr. Nyantakyi said about ‘ways and means' but stated that: “A certain amount is set aside to cover entertainment of guests during competitions.”


The Black Stars are warming up for the 2014 FIFA World Cup, which begins June 12 in Brazil.


The country will play USA, Germany and Portugal in Group G of the tournament. It will be the third successive outing of the Black Stars in the world cup.