A native doctor who allegedly promised to secure Mali’s triumph at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco after collecting a sum of €33,500 has reportedly been arrested.

 

According to reports, the individual had assured associates and backers that the Eagles of Mali would emerge champions of the continental tournament through spiritual intervention. The promise, however, failed to materialise as Mali’s AFCON campaign ended in disappointment.

 

Mali were knocked out at the quarter-final stage after suffering a narrow 1–0 defeat to defending champions Senegal, bringing an abrupt end to their title hopes. Overall, the Eagles’ outing in Morocco was largely underwhelming, as the team failed to record a single victory within regulation time throughout the competition, despite entering the tournament with high expectations.

 

Following the team’s elimination, authorities reportedly moved swiftly to arrest the native doctor on allegations of fraud and false representation, after the guaranteed outcome he claimed to have secured did not come to pass.

 

The incident has since sparked widespread reactions across social media platforms, with many football fans describing it as yet another reminder that success in football is driven by preparation, tactics, discipline and performance on the pitch, rather than supernatural promises or spiritual assurances.