I was forced to bury human heart before a Hearts vs Kotoko game - Former Hearts goalie
25th September 2023
Nana Banyin Crentsil, a former goalkeeper for Hearts of Oak, has shared a disturbing story from his past involving a ritual before a match against Asante Kotoko in 1990.
In an interview with Dan Kwaku Yeboah on his YouTube channel, Nana Banyin revealed that certain members of the Hearts of Oak management introduced what appeared to be a human heart as part of a superstitious ritual to ensure victory over Kotoko.
"They brought a heart drenched in blood to our camp and instructed us to perform a ritual with a pin, thrusting it into the heart. I was the captain at the time, so everyone participated, and I was given the heart to bury it at midnight," recounted Nana Banyin during the interview.
According to Nana Banyin, the ritual involved thrusting a pin into the heart, and he, as the captain at the time, was given the heart to bury at midnight.
This traumatizing incident left him with persistent nightmares, sleepless nights, and even thoughts of suicide.
He confessed, "Even to this day, I still have nightmares about the ritual we performed. It haunts me in my sleep, and it feels like I'm constantly fighting adversaries in my dreams. After that particular game, I found myself contemplating suicide."
"When I reflect on everything I've been through, it wasn't an easy journey. My name was on everyone's lips wherever I went. I keep telling people that what we had on that plate was indeed a human heart; you can verify this with some of my fellow players."
Despite resorting to such superstitious practices, Hearts of Oak ultimately lost the match to Kotoko by a score of 4-2.