As the 2026 FIFA World Cup enters its knockout stage, one of football’s most unusual personalities has once again found himself in the spotlight. Nana Kwaku Bonsam, the Ghanaian traditional priest who has built a reputation for making sensational football-related claims, has made another eye-catching prediction—this time involving defending champions Argentina.
Bonsam has predicted that Lionel Messi-led Argentina will be eliminated by Cape Verde in the Round of 32, a result that would rank among the biggest upsets in World Cup history. The claim has quickly gone viral, largely because of his long history of linking himself to some of football’s biggest names, including Cristiano Ronaldo and Harry Kane.
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Born Stephen Osei Mensah, Nana Kwaku Bonsam is a traditional priest and spiritual healer from Ghana. His nickname, “Bonsam,” is commonly translated as “devil” in the Akan language, although he has repeatedly maintained that his spiritual practices are rooted in traditional African religion rather than anything sinister.
Over the years, Bonsam has become one of Africa’s most recognisable spiritual figures. While he is respected by followers of traditional beliefs in Ghana, he is better known internationally for his extraordinary football predictions and claims of influencing matches through spiritual rituals.
His rise to global fame came during the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.
Ahead of Ghana’s group-stage clash against Portugal, Bonsam claimed he had cast a spell on Cristiano Ronaldo to prevent the Portuguese superstar from performing at his best. At the time, Ronaldo was dealing with a knee injury, and Portugal eventually failed to progress beyond the group stage. Although there has never been any evidence connecting Bonsam’s claims to Ronaldo’s performances, the incident made headlines around the world and established him as one of football’s most talked-about off-field personalities.
Since then, Bonsam has repeatedly resurfaced during major international tournaments with fresh predictions and supernatural claims. His statements often attract widespread attention despite the absence of any scientific or factual basis.
During the ongoing 2026 FIFA World Cup, Bonsam once again grabbed headlines after claiming that he had also “cast a spell” on England captain Harry Kane.
The timing of the claim drew attention because England’s performances in the group stage failed to impress despite topping Group L. A goalless draw against Ghana and an underwhelming victory over Panama prompted criticism of Thomas Tuchel’s side, with Kane struggling to produce the dominant displays many expected from the Three Lions captain.
Although there is no evidence supporting Bonsam’s claim, the story spread rapidly across social media, adding another unusual subplot to England’s World Cup campaign.
Now, Bonsam has shifted his focus towards Argentina.
According to reports, the Ghanaian spiritual leader believes Cape Verde will eliminate Argentina in the Round of 32, ending Lionel Messi’s hopes of defending the World Cup title. He has also predicted that Ghana will reach the quarterfinals, while backing Portugal to win the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The prediction has generated widespread discussion because Argentina enter the knockout rounds as one of the favourites to lift the trophy once again. Lionel Scaloni’s side has been among the tournament’s strongest teams, making Bonsam’s forecast all the more surprising.
Despite his growing popularity during football tournaments, Bonsam’s claims remain unverified and are widely regarded as part of football’s colourful folklore rather than credible predictions. Throughout the history of the sport, stories involving lucky charms, rituals and superstitions have often accompanied major competitions, adding another layer of intrigue for supporters around the world.
For many fans, Bonsam’s predictions have become an annual talking point whenever Ghana competes on the international stage. Some dismiss them as publicity, while others enjoy the mystery and entertainment they bring to football’s biggest occasions.
Whether Nana Kwaku Bonsam’s latest prediction proves to be another forgotten prophecy or an extraordinary coincidence will only become clear once Argentina face Cape Verde. Until then, it remains one of the World Cup’s most unusual storylines, leaving fans to debate whether it is merely superstition or just another curious chapter in football history.
