In a surprising disclosure, a former player of Ingwe has revealed ongoing witchcraft practices in Kenyan football. Tedian Esilaba, a past defender for AFC Leopards, has broken the silence on this often-dismissed topic, shocking many in the football community.
Esilaba’s revelations come at a critical time, just before a key match between AFC Leopards and Tusker, the former Premier League champions, in Machakos.
Through a revealing social media post, Esilaba, who left the Leopards after the last season, shared his personal experiences of witchcraft in the sport. He described finding eggs with players’ names on them scattered across the field before matches, leading to strange injuries or last-minute goals against his team.
This admission brings to light practices that have long been rumored but seldom confirmed in African football. ‘Juju’ men, known for their traditional witchcraft, play a significant role in these rituals, performing various acts from washing jerseys in ‘spiritual waters’ to praying to traditional deities.
In many African countries, it’s common to see players and officials using special concoctions and powders, believed to impact the outcome of games. These powders are often ceremonially tossed into the air at the beginning of matches.
Goalkeepers are sometimes given objects to place in their goals, and players may wear turf tapes around their wrists as part of these practices. Although wearing such items doesn’t necessarily mean involvement in witchcraft, it indicates a deep-rooted belief in these practices within the football community.
Esilaba, who joined AFC Leopards in 2021 after playing for Nairobi City Stars, has a rich history in Kenyan football, including time with Administration Police FC and Bidco FC. His insights add an intriguing aspect to the intense rivalry ahead of the Leopards’ game against Tusker.
As AFC Leopards, coached by Tomas Trucha, aims for another win following a series of successes, Tusker is looking to bounce back from recent setbacks and reassert themselves in the title race.
