'Juju healer' arrested over alleged N50m AFCON 2025 ‘win guarantee’ scam

A traditional healer has reportedly been arrested in Mali after allegedly collecting €33,500 (over 50 million naira) with the promise of spiritually guaranteeing the national team’s triumph at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco.

According to reports, the healer assured supporters and associates that the Eagles of Mali would be crowned African champions through supernatural intervention.

The claims reportedly attracted financial contributions, with expectations that spiritual backing would deliver continental glory.

However, Mali’s AFCON campaign ended in disappointment after a 1-0 quarter-final defeat to defending champions Senegal.

The team failed to win a single match in regulation time throughout the tournament, falling well short of pre-competition expectations.

Following the team’s elimination, Malian authorities moved swiftly, arresting the healer on allegations of fraud and false representation, as the promised outcome failed to materialise.

"Quackery is punishable by law in Mali. In the fervour of the AFCON. proclaimed himself a marabout overnight and made a fortune," an official from the cybercrime department told AFP.