Soccer News of Friday, 20 June 2003

Source: BBC

Juju is nonsense - Ziese

Ghana coach Burkhard Ziese has scoffed at suggestions that Sunday's Nations Cup tie against Uganda could be influenced by black magic or 'juju'.

"We will have no problem with this," he declared.

"Let them (Uganda) put 10 black shawls or 10 black objects, in the penalty box or in the net. I'm not concerned."

Uganda's recent home qualifier against Rwanda, which they lost 1-0, was surrounded by controversy, after the visiting goalkeeper lit an unknown substance in his goal.

When Uganda's players tried to remove it, an ugly fight involving both team's players ensued.

The Rwandans eventually left the pitch and the game was held up for 25 minutes before order was restored.

Ziese said Ghana's success in Sunday's match would rely on information his coaching staff gathered from that controversial tie in Kampala.

"We in Ghana, especially the professionals [from Europe], are not concerned about juju," he said.

"If we put two to three goals in their net, that's the end of the game."