Juju In Black Stars Camp Is Nothing New- Milo

Former coach of the national team Milovan Rajevac has added his voice to the use of black magic by some players in the Black Stars team. The Serbian trainer led the Black Stars to the African Cup of Nations 2010 in Angola where he finished second after losing by a goal to Egypt in the final. He was also in charge on the team when it crushed out of the world cup in South Africa 2010 after reaching the quarter finals.

The issue of juju in the Black Stars team became a major talking point in Ghana football after the previous coach Goran Stevanovic claimed in his report to the Ghana Football Association that players used black magic against each other during the Nations Cup. In the report Goran Stevanovic stated that "we all need to help in changing some players' mentality about using black power to destroy themselves and also make sure we install discipline and respect for each other." Milovan who never brought such issues out during his stint with the Black Stars had to answer questions as to whether he had to deal with such issues in camp. Speaking on Angel FM’s sports program, he said ‘’many sportsmen, not only football players from all over the world, all over the continent...Africa, Asia, Europe, everywhere are superstitious; even many coaches are superstitious; the most important thing was for everybody in the national team- management, technical team, players, coaches, everybody together with journalists and supporters to try to have good communication and good relationship. It’s a personal thing for everybody and it’s not a big deal...somebody is superstitions and somebody is not. It is everybody’s choice and there is nothing wrong....’’ The 58- year old coach who is arguably regarded as the most successful foreign coach of the black stars refused to renew his contract after the 2010 world cup in pursuit of greener pastures in Saudi Arabia. His stay with Saudi Arabian club side Al-Ahli and the Qatar national side was relatively short as he was sacked by the Qatar football association only after 4 months into his appointment. He has not ruled out a possible return to coach the black stars ever since he left.

N.K. ADJEI Maxipulla@yahoo.com.sg 0541194962 Freelance writer