England captain Harry Kane opened his 2026 FIFA men’s World Cup by scoring a brace in the Three Lions’ 4-2 win over Croatia.
Impressive, but not surprising.
Kane was the most dominant striker in the world over the past year, recording 36 goals for Bayern Munich in German Bundesliga, 14 more goals in Champions League, and 10 in German Cup.
It was jarring, however, to watch Kane struggle mightily and ultimately fail to score against Ghana in an intense 0-0 draw on Tuesday, June 23.
Nana Kwaku Bonsam, a self-appointed Ghanaian spiritualist and witch doctor, believes he had something to do with Kane’s uncharacteristic performance.
Before the match, Bonsam stated that he’d cast a spell on Kane, noting, “I have shown what I am capable of before so I know what work I must do to stop him. I am very famous for my predictions. I am not wishing him serious injury. It will be just enough to stop him against my country” (via The Mirror).
Now that Ghana came away with a point against England, Bonsam’s purported work is done, and he declared that he would “release” Kane from his spell and allow him to score in England’s next match against Panama on Saturday, June 27.
Make of that what you will.
England and Ghana each have 4 points atop Group L, but England leads the group on goal differential. The Group L winner will be decided Saturday. Ghana will face Croatia, who have 3 points. England is all but guaranteed to go through to the knockout stage, but BBC Sport broke down all the possible outcomes here.