Hleza Mofedi: Former Orlando Pirates Star Opens Up How Muti Man Almost Killed Bucs Players
- Former Pirates midfielder Hleza Mofedi disclosed a dangerous incident involving a muti man at a team hotel before a key match
- Mofedi claimed the ritual went badly wrong, describing a terrifying moment that left the players fearing for their lives
- The ex-Pirates star also made a bold claim linking muti to the club's 2002 league title win under coach Roy Barreto
A former Orlando Pirates midfielder has lifted the lid on the club's use of traditional medicine, revealing how a pre-match ritual involving a muti practitioner nearly ended in catastrophe for the players involved.
Source: Twitter
Hleza Mofedi, who featured for the Buccaneers during their early 2000s era, spoke candidly about the incident in an interview with KickOff, describing a steam-bathing session at a team hotel that spiralled dangerously out of control.
Muti ritual goes wrong at team hotel
Mofedi has recalled a frightening incident involving a traditional healer that nearly ended in disaster during his time at the club.
According to Mofedi, players had invited a muti practitioner to carry out protective rituals before a crucial match. The ceremony took place at a hotel, where the squad was taking part in a steam-bathing session under blankets.
Mofedi explained that the healer placed an old-fashioned metal iron, the type once heated on a stove rather than an electric iron, into a pot of boiling water. Moments later, the water exploded violently, sending steam and hot water bursting into the air.
He said the eruption was so powerful that the blanket covering the players was thrown towards the ceiling, and several of them feared for their safety. Mofedi described the experience as one of the most terrifying moments he encountered in football.
The former midfielder's story offers a striking glimpse into the traditional rituals that some teams have used in search of an advantage, while also highlighting the potential dangers players may face when such practices are carried out in unsafe conditions.
Mofedi credits muti for Pirates' 2002 league title
Mofedi went beyond recounting the frightening incident by insisting that muti played a genuine role in the club's success. He cited the Buccaneers' 2002 Premier Soccer League title-winning campaign under the late Roy Barreto as proof that traditional medicine can have an impact.
Asked whether he believed muti was real or simply part of football folklore, Mofedi was unequivocal. He maintained that he witnessed its effectiveness firsthand during Pirates' championship-winning season, claiming the squad relied on traditional medicine throughout that successful campaign.
The role of muti in South African football has remained a contentious topic for decades, with supporters and critics offering contrasting views on its influence. Mofedi's candid comments are expected to fuel fresh debate, particularly because he directly associated the practice with one of Orlando Pirates' most memorable league triumphs.
Bafana star leaves Sundowns for PSL rivals
Briefly News also reported that a Bafana Bafana star has decided to leave Mamelodi Sundowns for the second season running for Premier Soccer League rivals.
The South African international is one of the few players leaving the CAF Champions League champions this summer ahead of the 2026-27 season.
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Source: Briefly News
