Hello gentlemen, I am writing a blog article about how different cultures ask for the blessing of their team by God, or a spiritual being. I'd also like to know of rituals, if any, that are performed to help a team attain success in their match. If you know of anything, especially if it regards specifically to soccer please let me know about it. Thank you very much.
Here is an interesting article (though it does tend to emphasize some of the slightly negative aspects pertaining to different superstititions). "The use of witchdoctors in Tanzanian football has not impressed teams and coaches in other African countries. Preparing for a Nation's Cup match against Uganda in June, Ghana's coach Burkhard Ziese laughed at suggestions that his team might lose because of juju or black magic. "We have no problem with this," he said. "Let Uganda put 10 black shawls or 10 black objects in the penalty box or in the net. I am not concerned." This followed reports that during a Uganda-Rwanda qualifier, the Rwandan goalkeeper had lit an unknown substance in his goal-mouth before the match began. Uganda lost 1-0. Upset at this display of juju, Ugandan players tried to remove the offending container and an ugly fist fight developed. The game was held up for over 25 minutes before officials managed to separate the players and play was resumed." Other stories: http://www.allbusiness.com/africa/1029134-1.html
