CLAIMS by Prophetic Healing and Deliverance (PHD) leader and Yadah Stars Football Club owner, Walter Magaya, that his side’s 7­2 defeat last Saturday was a result of a spiritual warfare provokes debate of the obsession of modern day prophets with soccer.

In recent times, we have heard the so-called prophets predicting outcomes of soccer matches. At one time, in 2014, during the CHAN finals, Bulawayo­-based Prophet, Blessing Chiza, of Eagle Life Ministries had the whole nation eating from his palm when he aptly foretold a soccer match and people expected a correct prediction in the next round.

He correctly ‘prophesied’ the Warriors 2­ 1 win over Mali but faltered when he predicted a 3­0 victory for Zimbabwe against Libya in the semi­finals.

The warriors lost the match. The prophet failed dismally in his prediction resulting in the “I did not see clearly” statement.

Widely reported, two men in Bulawayo lost money after they had gambled based on Chiza’s prophecy.

One wonders how a message from God can be hazy from the start, but I digress.

As usual, the messages are punctuated by, ‘Thus says the Lord.’

Again, there was Prophet Uebert Angel who also dabbled in soccer prediction.

Perhaps more famous was Nigerian preacher, TB Joshua’s explanation of Zambia’s win over Ivory Coast in the Africa Cup Of Nations final a few years ago.

He cited that the departed Zambian players (the team which perished in a plane crash in 1993) was crying to God that they should win.

Zambia went on to win the match adding to the interesting dimension of the spirituality of soccer.

Soccer, it must be accepted, is an extremely powerful game. It is emotional and draws the best or the worst in people.

There can be no denying of the stupendous influence of the soccer game. But to try, like the modern prophets would have us believe, that God Almighty, the Creator of Heaven and earth loses sleep because of a pagan game called soccer is mischievous to say the least.

God has massive work to be done; he has serious business that needs attention.

Work so vital and dear to him that he had to send his only begotten Son towards its fulfillment.

He continues with this mandate and has sent men and women into this cause (of winning back lost souls).

Men and women have left beautiful countries to help accomplish this mission. Many have laid down their lives for this cause and the ultimate end is yet to come. God’s final call to his people is: “Come out of Babylon my people, come out of her.”

The Gospel is God’s prime focus; his war cry is to win back his creation from sin up to until the time comes to a close.

It is therefore a mockery to declare soccer, a game riddled with violence, and spiritual. Yes, it has entertaining value.

It gives people a sense of fulfillment but it is certainly close to blasphemy to declare soccer spiritual. Spiritual things include baptism, repentance and the Lord’s Supper, among others.

Now to put this foot game into this category is surely not paying God a compliment.

God is concerned with repentance of human beings more than worldly entertainment. Nothing spiritual about soccer Much has been written about the prehistoric origins of football.

The problem is that the origins are prehistoric, which by definition means ‘before documented history’.

While there is much said about soccer, it is well documented that football began as a fertility rite.

The ball symbolised the sun, the scoring of goals ensured a good harvest and the opposing teams represented the dual forces of nature.

Soccer origins are mired in the occult and controversy. Then there’s the idea that football grew out of some kind of head kicking cult, often employing the heads of vanquished foes as a game.

This was simply because freshly cut heads made for handy balls rather than being the reason to invent a new game? Soccer is widely believed to be a game played in honour of the sun­god, Zeus.

Almost every spot that has a ball as its focal point had the person of Zeus the sun­god at the centre. It is said that early growth of modern soccer started in England.

Some amusing facts even mention that the first ball used was the head of some Danish brigand. It is said that during medieval times, the old form of soccer used to allow many ill practices like kicking, punching, biting and gouging.

The main aim was to carry the ball to a target spot. People grew so fond of the game that they would throng the field all day long.

Sometimes the competition grew fierce and masses got so wild that there were frequent incidents of violence during the game.

It is also said that soldiers admired the game so much that they engaged in a crude form of the game often employing violence.

Yes, many things can be said about the game of soccer but being spiritual is certainly not part of it. There is no spirituality in violence and bad language associated with the game.

The main thrust of God is saving humanity from sin and not preoccupation with flesh games. There is nothing at all spiritual about soccer.

See related reading:

Magaya fires football coach for disobeying his “prophecy” on team selection