Much has been written about TB Joshua. Many believe in his powers whether they come from God or from other sources. But no one seems to have questioned whether he has any powers at all.

TB Joshua claims he is the mouthpiece of God. As evidence of this claim he maintains that he’s able to prophesise future events. He is a multi-billionaire with his own TV station that maintains and reinforces his brand image as prophet of God. Perhaps his real danger lies in the support and advice he gives to African leaders: advice that cannot be questioned if it is God’s word.

The Ghanaian president, Atta Mills, says he’s a close friend and regular attendee of The Synagogue, Church Of All Nations (SCOAN). He attended a thanksgiving service at SCOAN after winning the presidency of Ghana. The message was clear – he believes TB and God had something to do with it.

TB has recently come to the attention of the media again as he claims to have predicted the results of football matches and that Ghana won because he prayed for them. This, of course, negates the efforts of all the other religious leaders who were also praying for Ghana to win and sets TB up as the only authentic power in West Africa. Regardless of TB Joshua’s statements that it’s not really him but it’s God, it’s obvious that TB is getting all the glory and riches!

Predicting scores of games and lotteries are techniques well-known to entertainers – magicians and mentalists. What is surprising about the predictions written on TB’s website is how vague and non-descript they are. Perhaps, his followers will claim this indicates that he’s genuine.

So let’s look at what he actually said.

Sunday 6th September 2009 :

“*Yesterday, I kept hearing, football, football, football. I said, “God, what is this football all about?” I said, “What is this football all about?” And the Lord showed me everything from the beginning to the end. It came to a stage that the host of Heaven were the ones playing football. Because the whole thing was tough. So, both sides – nobody played ball again. But who are these people playing football? I could not see any players again because it was tough to decide.*

*So, both sides that were playing football – it got to a stage – the whole thing was just – here is balanced, here is balanced but decision. What is decision? It’s like, both sides left the field.*

*They could not take a decision – who is the most powerful among the two. So, it got to a stage, okay, go and sit down, go and sit down. I will not say more than that.” *

To summarise he said there is going to be a football match and there will be a draw. He cannot name the date this will take place or the teams that will be playing.

This prediction was made during the FIFA U-20 World Cup tournament. Amazingly he found himself thinking about football! To make a prediction that during this season someone will draw is hardly surprising. What are the statistics on there being a draw during a football tournament?

He was not able to state the draw was between Nigeria and Tunisia nor the day and time of the draw. This prediction is so vague that anyone could have made it.

Sunday 11th October 2009 he makes another prediction. The relevant part of his ramblings is:

“*Because this man was heading ball like a footballer. I quickly remembered that you have ball today. We need a goal to lead the other people. If you can have just one goal to lead them. We need a goal ahead of these people. It’s not every time they will beat us. I said how can everybody come here and beat us. Draw, draw, draw, draw. A goal!*”

In this prediction he claims that he sees a man heading a ball and that a goal is needed to win. He finds a game that he corresponds with his vague claims – Nigerian v. Mozambique. No one had scored but the game was won by Obinna Nsofor who headed the ball into the goal.

TB claims he not only predicted the win but predicted the game would be one by a header. Not so. His actual prediction says he saw someone heading a ball. Not unusual during a football match! He doesn’t state that the game will be won by a header. He simply states that an unknown team will win by being a goal ahead. Again, a very likely situation during a tournament!

TB Joshua's football predications are hardly impressive. More accurate and convincing predictions are made from people who admit they are tricksters – magicians and mentalists. As proof that he is receiving information direct from God, it’s not compelling. Maybe some information got lost on the way down?

On his website he does what all self-proclaimed psychics do – reinterpret his words after the event to attempt to make them fit the past event. Maybe TB he can do all the other miraculous things he claims, but from these two examples of 'prophesy' I'm not convinced.

Of course, none of this will deter the fan club of TB. As they say, “There are none so blind as those who will not see”.

Graham Knight