“Witchcraft Can’t Build a Football Career” : Burundi…

Frédéric Nsabiyumva, the captain of Burundi’s national football team and defender for Västerås SK Fotboll in Sweden, has spoken out against the use of witchcraft in football, calling it a false path that leads nowhere. In a candid and deeply personal interview with BBC Gahuza, the 29-year-old shared how he once believed in witchcraft but later discovered it was all deception. ‎ ‎ “If witchcraft really worked, African players would be dominating at clubs like FC Barcelona and our national teams would have already won the World Cup,” Nsabiyumva told BBC Gahuza. ‎ ‎He recalled that early in his career, fellow players told him that he needed to visit a witchdoctor to succeed in football. Caught up in fear and pressure, he sought out traditional healers who promised him supernatural powers. ‎ ‎ “Someone came and put strange items on my leg chicken feathers, stones, even a snake’s skin and told me this would change my game. But nothing changed. I was misled,” he said. ‎ ‎Nsabiyumva went on to describe how he traveled across multiple countries, including Burundi, DR Congo, Tanzania, and regions like Dala Salama and Kigoma, in search of spiritual help. He admitted to spending large sums of money, only to end up with disappointment and frustration. ‎ ‎ “I lost a lot of money trying to find solutions, but I found no peace. Nothing improved. My performance didn’t change,” he revealed. ‎ ‎Now a born-again Christian and a preacher in a Protestant church, Nsabiyumva says his life only began to change when he gave up superstition and put his faith in God. ‎ ‎“If I hadn’t walked away from those things, I wouldn't have the life and peace I enjoy today,” he stated. ‎ ‎He also challenged the narrative that top players rely on witchcraft, pointing to many African-born stars succeeding in top European leagues through talent, discipline, and hard work. ‎ ‎“Many African players are playing in Europe and performing consistently well. Do you think they’re being bewitched to stay at the top? No. They work hard, stay focused, and put God first. Turning to witchcraft only damages your career,” Nsabiyumva added. ‎ ‎Now leading his national team and enjoying a stable career in Sweden, Nsabiyumva uses his story to caution young players against superstition and to encourage them to build their careers on faith, discipline, and dedication.