Not a hope in hell. That was the general prediction for Sowetan club Orlando Pirates at the 1995 finals of the African Champions Cup. Having scraped a 2-2 draw in the first leg, they faced a rampant ASEC Mimosa of Côte d’Ivoire in Abidjan.

For several days before the game, the South African players bathed in a special potion prepared by their muti-man, or traditional healer. At the stadium, they were instructed to follow the muti-man out of the changing rooms, keeping strictly to the left hand side of the passageways in order to avoid bewitchment.

It turned out to be one of the most one-sided matches in the history of African football. The Ivorians pounded the South African goal. Shot after shot went wide, hit the post or was spectacularly saved.

Then, with less than twenty minutes left, Jerry Sikhosana, the only Pirates man not in defence, latched onto a clearance. The two Ivorians marking him collided with one another and Sikhosana ran around them to score. ASEC resumed their barrage of Pirates’ goal, but the South Africans held on to lift the continent’s premier trophy.

It was such a ridiculous victory, there seemed to be no other explanation for it: Pirates’ muti had worked.

For most African soccer lovers, the use of ritual – call it juju, muti or bo – is as much a part of the game as the soccer ball itself. Traditional healers have a wide variety of techniques, such as the preparation of infusions or talismans. These practices are not unique to football: from the fetish market at Akodessewa in Togo to the sangoma’s shops in the shadow of Johannesburg’s downtown skyscrapers, the customs of Africa are catered for with plant and animal products that range from herbal remedies to withered monkey hands.

Many players believe in the power of the spirits, others go along for the sake of morale. Despite his Christian faith, Lucas Radebe, former Leeds United and South African captain, does not quite reject the idea of ancestral guardianship. “These rituals are part of our tradition,” he says.

Some believe in the magic, but only in specific instances. “It works,” says one fan, Sipho, “but only at the goals, not in the field. When [Kaizer Chiefs goalkeeper] Brian Baloyi plays he puts a black bag by the goal posts and the ball doesn’t get past him. One day a black cat walked out of that bag. If people can see the muti, or someone finds it, it won’t work for you anymore.”

But there are many who no longer credit the old traditions of their people. They feel that football results are dictated by forces within the members of a team – their talent, their will to win, and so on – rather than by outside, supernatural forces. “Sometimes the team loses because the coach and the players don’t understand each other,” says Frank.

Is there a trend away from the use of juju? Mpho is one who feels that the practice of magic should end. “Instead, the players have to believe in themselves,” he says.

There is the inevitable comparison with European football. “Do European teams have sangomas (traditional African healer)?” asks Itumeleng. “If they don’t, why should we?”

It is true, these traditions have not spread to Europe, but then don’t European players have their own form of juju? How many white footballers do not have a lucky charm, or a lucky pair of gloves, or a particular habit they repeat before every match? How many cross their hearts as they run onto the pitch? How different are these forms of belief to those of African players?

http://www.footballculture.net/

The weirdest pitches on the planet; send me your pictures and stories!

FC Salzburg are this year’s champions of Austria’s Bundesliga!  After titleholders and closest pursuers SK Rapid Wien suffered a 3-0 loss at SV Ried that left them unable to bridge the seven-point gap with two games remaining. Congratulati0ons. Money won, but only this time…

“Es kann nicht sein, dass wir seit Jahren immer innerhalb von vier Tagen vom krassen Außenseiter zum haushohen Favoriten mutieren” O-ton Constantini

If you compare the austrian boxing scene to any other country in europe you will find that luxemburg probably has a bigger following than here.

Since good old Edip (R.I.P), Hansi Orsolic, oh and of course the infamous Gotthald Hinteregger (the cougar) noone has been near enough succesfull.

Times might be about to change,…. “Marcos Nader” a very talented lad has just been signed to “Sauerland Box Promotions” in Germany, which could be a big move for austrian boxing. He won his first pro fight 2 weeks ago, so things are looking good.

With a bit of success boxing might attract the masses again like back in the days of good old hansi (who now works at the ORF serving coffee and carrying cables).

its all on you Marcos Nader

oh and by the way, as far as I know the president of the austrian boxing comitee is back in jail for procuration and drug trafficking

What is the problem of austrian football? What is its standing in culture? is it still working class sport and not fully accepted byhigh society or has it finally got into the fangs of economy?

Imagine you are manager of Austrias football team  ; what would be your dream line up, strategy, youth aso…

If you compare English  to Middle European terraces, you notice that you dont have someone standing in front of the crowd with a megaphone shouting the clubs chants. In england someone starts the rest join in, you dont have one or two individuals in charge.

The guys in charge in middle Europe, Í´m gonna call them Mc´s, get treated as rock stars, and are usually idols for the younger kids. Plus theyre usually the head honchos of the firm. The two guys I see on a regular at Rapid Vienna which are in charge of the “west terrace” do their job well, ..they go on for 110 min plus, so maximum respekt;)

I personally prefer the british method. Its less radical, plus you as a punter have the chance to start off chants which then spread throughout the stadium, which can be an extremely pleasing experience;)

Whats your opinion?

What other differences considering fan culture on the terraces can you think of?

A couple of Rapid Vienna chants! even in dialect

Gibts a nu so vüle Tiefn. Rapidler wird es immer gebn.
Und des is net nur a Verein fuer mi. Rapid is mei Prinzip im Lebn.
Wann noch an Sieg die grüne Fahne – im Hütteldorfer Westwind waht,
Daunn waas a jeda wos Rapid is, ders net vasteht, der tuat ma lad.

Rapid, Rapid des is mei Maunnschoft.
Rapid, Rapid des is mei Lebn.
Für mi gibts nur Rapid und sunst nix aunders,
Denn i bin stoiz – dabei zu sein.

Wenn wir am Wochenend a Spü habn, wolln wir die Gegner bekehrn,
Dass nix scheners gibt im Fuaßboi, ois Rapidler sein, Rapidler zwern
Als Meister hoitn wir Rekorde. Im Auslaund uns jeda kennt.
Bekaunnt san wir ois vabissne Horde, de sie stoiz Rapidler nennt.

Rapid, Rapid wir san a Einheit
Rapid, Rapid wir hoitn zsaumm
Egal wos kummt im Lebn, Rapid wirds immer gebn
Mei Herz is stoiz, a greaner zu sein.

Rapid, Rapid des is mei Maunnschoft.
Rapid, Rapid des is mei Lebn.
Für mi gibts nur Rapid und sunst nix aunders, Denn i bin stost!

Go Rapid Wien Vienna!

ADD FOOTBALL CHANTS HERE!!

gebt mal vorschläge für gute hooligan-filme bitte!