Simba SC Players Seen in Photos and Video Allegedly Burning Muthi Before Orlando Pirates Match

• Simba SC players were seen encircled around a burning object ahead of the second leg of their CAF Confederations Cup match against Orlando Pirates at the Orlando Stadium
• This immediately drew accusations of muthi or juju being administered by the visitors on the pitch, an age-old practice in African football
• The ritual did not have any effect on the outcome of the match, however, as the Buccaneers knocked Simba out on penalties

The second leg of the CAF Confederations Cup quarterfinal between Orlando Pirates and Simba SC was expected to produce drama, but the shenanigans began before that.

During the warm-ups, Simba players were seen huddled around the circle, dancing rhythmically. This wouldn't be out of the ordinary, but for a small plume of smoke rising out of this tight circle of players.

Video footage and photographs showed a nondescript object burning from the forest of players' legs. This immediately raised suspicions that muthi was being burnt by the visitors to provide divine fortune in what was to prove a difficult encounter for the hosts.

Who are the top 10 ranked Juventus legends of all time?

Football

A video on social media showed a Pirates official dousing whatever the object was with CAF match officials looking on. Clearly the ritual was in vain as the Buccaneers defeated Simba 4-3 on penalties after the tie ended 1-1 on aggregate.

Orlando Pirates media officer Thano Merafe joked:

"Orlando Pirates through to the Semi-Final. @SimbaSCTanzania you can burn juju all you want but not in our HOUSE #ESGODINI."

Most, if not all African football enthusiasts, have become accustomed to seeing curious activities by players, coaches, and other staff before matches on and around the pitch in what is an obvious practice of witchcraft-based superstition.

Black Stars goalkeeper saves and scores final penalty as Orlando Pirates reach CAF Confederations Cup semifinals

Black Stars goalkeeper Richard Ofori was the man of the hour in the shootout for Orlando Pirates in the CAF Confederations Cup on Sunday.

As reported on Sports Brief, the 26-year-old played a crucial role as his South African outfit returned to winning ways following their first-leg defeat against Simba SC in Tanzania a week ago.

But Pirates recorded a last-gasp 1-0 victory in Soweto thanks to a headed goal from the former King Faisal forward in the second leg.