Are Ghana fans aware of the Rocky Balboa curse?

African selections began their World Cup quest with mixed results. Tunisia and South Africa lost, while all other participants drew in their matches. Ivory Coast remains the only African team with a win so far (1-0 against Ecuador), but Senegal, DR Congo, Algeria and Ghana are still scheduled to play in the first round. The Lions of Teranga are facing the most difficult task, as they are about to face the World Cup favorites France, while Ghana should have an easy task against Panama, but only if their fans manage to avoid a curse. And that also goes for Brazil, Haiti, France, Iraq, Curacao and Croatia.

All these teams are suppose to play in Philadelphia, a city which boasts a big Rocky Balboa statue. As all film-lovers know, this is the character of a famous ‘Rocky’ franchise, created by a famous actor Sylvester Stallone. The statue was built way back in 1982 when the actor was making his third ‘Rocky’ movie and he eventually donated it to the city. A highly popular touristic attraction however hides a ‘curse’ when it comes to sports. Apparently, whoever decides to ‘dress’ the Rocky statue with a sporting flag or a shirt will loose the game. It sounds ridiculous, but ask the fans of American Football teams Minnesota Vikings and the San Francisco 49ers what happened when they dressed Rocky before the Superbowl? They both lost their finals.

Diallo strikes late as Ivory Coast edge Ecuador in Philadelphia thriller

And the latest ‘casualty’ of the ‘curse’ was Ecuador. Before the game, fans from the South American nation climbed the famous steps and put a yellow jersey on the Rocky statue outside the Philadelphia Art Museum. After that, they lost to Ivory Coast 1-0.

“To the delegations of Brazil, Haiti, France, Iraq, Curaçao, Croatia, and Ghana: Pennsylvania welcomes you warmly and wishes you the best of luck in your upcoming World Cup matches in Philadelphia. As good hosts, we’d like to share some information about a well-documented phenomenon in Philly: The Rocky Statue Curse. We regret this communication was not shared before last weekend but, here we are. Countless football teams (as in, American Football, not Futbol — same curse, different sport) have all dressed the Rocky Statue in their colors and gone on to lose. Ecuador dressed Rocky last weekend. Coincidence? Sadly, history says no. Philadelphia can’t wait to host you! (but Rocky does not need your kit)” reads the post on the “Visit PA” Instagram account. Fair warning. The first match in Philadelphia after this post? Brazil – Haiti.

WORLD CUP - GROUP STAGE

Tuesday 16.06.

Saudi Arabia- Uruguay 1-1 (1-0)

/Amri 41 - Araujo 80/

Iran - New Zealand 2-2 (1-1)

/Ramin 33,Mohebi, 64- Just, 7,54/

22.00: (1.47) France (4.50) Senegal (6.75)

***odds are subject to change***