Nana Kwaku Bonsam’s controversial comments spark debate as Ghana prepare to face England in a key Group L encounter
Foxborough, Massachusetts, United States, Monday, 22 June 2026 — Ghanaian traditional priest Nana Kwaku Bonsam has sparked fresh controversy ahead of Ghana’s FIFA World Cup showdown with England after claiming he is undertaking spiritual efforts aimed at limiting the influence of England captain Harry Kane in the highly anticipated Group L fixture.
The comments, which gained widespread attention after being circulated on social media platform X by football news account TouchlineX, have generated intense debate among football supporters across Africa and beyond.
Speaking ahead of Tuesday’s encounter at Gillette Stadium, Nana Kwaku Bonsam said his focus was on preventing Kane from making a decisive impact against Ghana.
“I am working on Harry Kane. I have shown what I am capable of before, so I know what work I must do to stop him,” Bonsam was quoted as saying.
“I am not wishing him serious injury. It will be just enough to stop him against my country. I will do my work so that it can help Ghana.”
The remarks immediately triggered mixed reactions online, with many supporters dismissing the claims as pre-match theatrics while others viewed them as part of the colourful folklore that often surrounds major international tournaments.
Nana Kwaku Bonsam Harry Kane discussions quickly became a trending topic among football fans, with some users questioning why attention was being directed at England’s captain rather than Ghana’s preparations on the pitch.
One social media user argued that efforts should instead focus on helping the Black Stars win matches, while another described the comments as an attempt to attract publicity ahead of the game.
Others recalled Bonsam’s widely publicised claim during the 2014 FIFA World Cup, when he alleged involvement in an injury suffered by Cristiano Ronaldo before Portugal’s meeting with Ghana. Despite that claim, Ronaldo scored against Ghana during the tournament.
The controversy arrives as both nations seek to strengthen their positions in Group L. Ghana opened their campaign with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Panama, while England also began the tournament strongly, with Kane playing a key role in their winning start.
Football analysts have largely downplayed the significance of the comments, noting that modern international football is decided by tactics, preparation and performance rather than external distractions.
Nevertheless, the Nana Kwaku Bonsam Harry Kane story has added an unusual subplot to a fixture already attracting significant global attention.
England enter the contest as favourites on paper, but Ghana will hope to build on the momentum from their opening victory as they pursue a place in the knockout rounds of the tournament.
With kickoff approaching, attention is expected to shift from social media debates to events on the pitch, where both teams know that a positive result could prove decisive in determining their World Cup fate.
David Okere is a journalist and contributor to Freelanews.com, covering business, governance, public affairs, and human-interest stories with a commitment to accuracy, balance, and public interest reporting.
