In a recent interview with Punch,
former Super Eagles defender turned
pastor, Taribo West said he contacted some traditionalists aka Babalawos
to make him charms which he used when he played football
"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
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