How can Ghana stop Harry Kane? A witch doctor offers help

If England needed another reminder of the unique atmosphere surrounding international football, they got one ahead of their World Cup showdown with Ghana.

The Black Stars may have spent the week studying footage of Harry Kane, but one Ghanaian witch doctor believes he has a more effective plan for stopping England's captain.

Nana Kwaku Bonsam, a self-proclaimed spiritualist who describes himself as "Africa's only Authentic Man", has once again entered the World Cup spotlight by claiming he is prepared to use his powers against Kane before the crucial Group L clash.

He told The Daily Star: "I am working on Harry Kane. I have shown what I am capable of before, so I know what work I must do to stop him. I am very famous for my predictions.

"I am not wishing him serious injury. It will be just enough to stop him against my country. I will do my work so that it can help Ghana."

Bonsam is no stranger to football headlines. He famously attracted worldwide attention ahead of the 2014 World Cup when he claimed responsibility for the injury problems that plagued Cristiano Ronaldo before Portugal met with Ghana in Brazil.

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Speaking at the time, Bonsam insisted the Portugal superstar's issues were the result of supernatural intervention rather than medical causes.

"I said four months ago that I would work on Cristiano Ronaldo seriously and rule him out of the World Cup, or at least prevent him from playing against Ghana," he declared.

"This injury can never be cured by any medic. They can never see what is causing it because it is spiritual."

Whether coincidence or not, Ronaldo did arrive at that tournament carrying fitness concerns, helping to turn Bonsam into something of a cult figure among football's more superstitious followers.

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Now, more than a decade later, his attention has apparently shifted to Kane. The England captain, however, has bigger concerns than spiritual warfare. The Bayern Munich striker enters the match on the verge of another major milestone, sitting just one goal away from surpassing Gary Lineker as England's all-time leading scorer at World Cups. That record has stood since 1990.

WORLD CUP - GROUP STAGE (ROUND 2)

Group L

Tuesday 23.06.

23.00: (1.28) England (5.70) Ghana (12.0)

Wednesday 24.06.

02.00: (6.50) Panama (3.80) Croatia (1.58)

***odds are subject to change***