Witch Doctor Takes Credit for Cristiano Ronaldo's Leg Injury
By Mike Cardillo
Cristiano Ronaldo is dealing with a leg injury a week before the 2014 World Cup gets underway. Reports on the type of injury and its severity have varied. Some say it’s a thigh issues. Others label it a knee ligament problem. Given the secrecy of modern soccer, until we see Ronaldo on the field against Germany on June 16 — or a pre-tournament friendly with either Mexico or the Republic of Ireland — nobody will know the full extent of the injury.
Except for one man: Nana Kwaku Bonsam.
Bonsam, described as Ghana’s most influential witch doctor has taken credit for Ronaldo’s injury woes. Ghana and Portugal play in the final Group G match on June 26. Here’s what he said on a Ghanaian radio station, as transcribed via the Guardian:
"“I know what Cristiano Ronaldo’s injury is about, I’m working on him,” Bonsam, who serves at the Kofioo Kofi shrine, said in an interview with the Kumasi-based Angel FM. “I am very serious about it. Last week, I went around looking for four dogs and I got them to be used in manufacturing a special spirit called Kahwiri Kapam. “I said it four months ago that I will work on Cristiano Ronaldo seriously and rule him out of the World up or at least prevent him from playing against Ghana and the best thing I can do is to keep him out though injury. “This injury can never be cured by any medic, they can never see what is causing the injury because it is spiritual. Today, it is his knee, tomorrow it is his thigh, next day it is something else.”"
This all seems very reasonable … or, you know, maybe Ronaldo is simply experiencing some tired legs after logging 59 games since last June with Portugal and Real Madrid.
Anyways, if you’re playing “World Cup Bingo” (and why shouldn’t you be) you can mark off a the ‘Witch Doctor story’ on your game card. Up next? Complaints about the ball used for the tournament? Miracle horse placenta treatments? England players whining about the heat? A fresh and original column why Americans will never embrace soccer?
The fun never stops!