An ongoing dispute between the South African Football Association and a sangoma appears to have been settled, paving the way for Bafana Bafana to win against Ethiopia on Sunday. At least, that is what South African football fans are hoping for, especially since the national team has not won a single match since S’bonelo Madela, a sangoma from Kwazulu-Natal, said he would withhold goals until SAFA paid a debt owed to him.

According to Madela, SAFA employed him to help the team win in its match against France during the 2010 World Cup. In exchange for this he was to receive R100,000, of which he only got R10,000. The traditional healer retaliated, threatening to handicap Bafana Bafana until the debt was settled. SAFA has firmly denied any such deal – its vice-president Mwelo Nonkonyane had even referred to Madela as a conman and called his actions extortion.

But that seems to be all behind us: Madela told Kickoff.com that the oustanding amount has been paid, simply saying that he has been given the money. But a SAFA spokesperson, speaking to Zalebs, said the matter has been settled and denied the suggestion that money was paid. SAFA also wished the team towards a victory on their match, which is a qualifier for the 2014 World Cup.

Not that this change in heart from the sangoma might change Bafana Bafana’s luck. In February this year he also lifted his curse for a friendly against Senegal, which both teams drew with no goals.

By James Francis