Former Hearts of Oak and Ghana forward Isaac Ayipei has revealed how players at the Phobians engaged in spiritual practices during his playing days, insisting that juju remains part of football despite attempts by some people to deny its existence.

In an interview with Dan Kwaku Yeboah, Ayipei explained that players were sometimes taken to designated places to pray, and that similar practices also took place at other clubs.

According to the former striker, the players did not necessarily initiate the practice, but they participated whenever it was organised for them.

“Juju is in football. Sometimes people deny its existence but it’s there. Until you experience it, you’ll think it doesn’t exist,” Ayipei said.

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He further disclosed that Hearts of Oak supporters had a particular place where the team was expected to go and pray, adding that other clubs also had their own spiritual arrangements.

“Fans didn’t bring it to us but at Hearts of Oak, the fans had a place we had to go to pray. In other teams they had theirs. When they bring it we all had to do it. Whether it worked or not,” he added.

Beyond his experiences at Hearts of Oak, Ayipei enjoyed a career that took him beyond Ghana, establishing himself as one of the country’s forwards to have played professionally abroad.

He began his career with Berekum Arsenal before moving to Mexico in 1991 to join Leones Negros UdeG.

He subsequently joined Club León in 1992, where he enjoyed an impressive spell, scoring 35 goals in 101 league appearances.

FKA/AM

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