Futah Reveals ‘Strange Ritual’ Behind Hearts’ Historic CAF Confederation Cup Triumph
“We Bathed a Mad Man on the Pitch” — For Hearts to beat Kotoko
Aziz Haruna Futah, a leading member of the Accra Hearts of Oak Chapter O Supporters’ Wing, has recounted a bizarre incident in which supporters allegedly bathed a mentally unstable man on the pitch of the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi — a ritual they believed contributed to the club’s famous CAF Confederation Cup triumph over arch-rivals Asante Kotoko.
Speaking in an interview with sporty fm, Mr Futah revealed that the act, rooted in long-held football superstitions, was carried out by some supporters who were convinced that it would spiritually tilt the match in favour of Hearts of Oak.
According to him, the incident formed part of a series of unconventional measures taken by the supporters during the fiercely contested 2004 CAF Confederation Cup final, which Hearts eventually won on penalties.
He explained that football, particularly matches involving Hearts of Oak and Asante Kotoko, often attracts various traditional beliefs and practices, with supporters on both sides resorting to rituals they believe could influence results.
While emphasising that he was recounting events from the past, Mr Futah noted that such practices, though controversial, remain part of the folklore surrounding Ghana’s biggest football rivalry.
The revelation has since sparked renewed debate among fans about superstition, tradition and the extent to which such acts should be associated with modern football.
