Ghanaian traditional priest Nana Kwaku Bonsam said he used spiritual powers to block England captain Harry Kane during a 2026 FIFA World Cup match.

The claim highlights the intersection of traditional spiritual beliefs and high-stakes international sports, drawing global attention to the cultural practices of Ghana during the tournament.

Bonsam said from his shrine in Accra that he was guided by the shrine to place the block to protect Ghana's chances in the game [1]. The spiritualist targeted the England striker to ensure he would not find the net during the group-stage encounter [2].

The match between England and Ghana ended in a 0-0 draw [1]. Because Kane did not score, Bonsam said the spiritual intervention was successful in neutralizing the captain's impact on the field [1].

Not everyone accepted the explanation for the scoreless draw. Uri Geller challenged the claim and said it was unproven [3]. Geller said the priest's statements were a publicity stunt rather than a genuine supernatural event [3].

Bonsam has previously made headlines for similar assertions regarding international events. In this instance, he said that the results on the pitch were a direct consequence of the rituals performed at his shrine [1].

Despite the skepticism from critics like Geller, the story gained traction among fans and media outlets following the stalemate between the two nations [1, 2].

“Nana Kwaku Bonsam said he was guided by his shrine to place the block in order to protect Ghana’s chances.”

This incident underscores the enduring influence of traditional spiritualism in West African sports culture, where spiritual 'interventions' are sometimes credited for athletic outcomes. While the 0-0 result is a standard sporting occurrence, the public debate between Bonsam and Geller reflects a clash between traditional faith and skeptical rationalism on a global stage.