Former footballer turned pastor, Taribo West, gooo/sports/taribo-finds-shelter-amidst-storms-of-life/”>in a recent interview revealed that footballers did in fact use diabolic charms to play, hence their huge success, including himself.
“Of course yes (I was
involved). I don’t know why people decline to talk about their
involvement with charms. Football has to do with a lot of powers. When
there are big events, you look at the stadium, you see people, fans
invoking all kinds of things; magicians are there, voodooists are there.
“In my playing days, when I was ignorant, I used to get some mallams
and babalawos (traditional doctors) to make charms for us, which we took
to (national) camp. Sometimes it worked, sometimes it didn’t.
“In some clubs, before every game, the president or leader of the
club will give you a lucky charm to play with. They will tell you to put
it in your boots or socks and play. It’s their superstitious belief;
that it can help them win matches.
“There are some coaches who are connected to African magicians and
soothsayers from Senegal, Burkina Faso, Zaire or even Nigeria. These
people are consulted to give these coaches results of games even before
the matches are played.
“These people see strange things and they can tell you with their
magic and charms, what the outcome of a match will be. People believe
and use it. It works for those who believe in it. I saw it, I
experienced it, I was with players that used it and I used it. So, why
are people denying it? There are charms and rituals in football. It
still exists.” he said.