Taribo
West, former Super Eagles defender turned pastor, said he contacted some
traditionalists ‘aka JUJU men’ to make him charms which he used during his glorious
days as a footballer.
"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
