As England and Ghana prepare to meet at Gilette Stadium in Boston on Tuesday — with top spot in Group L at stake — a British tabloid has chosen an all-too-familiar route to preview the fixture.

Rather than seeking insight from a Ghanaian football expert ahead of the Black Stars' clash with England, the Daily Star turned to a self-proclaimed 'witch doctor' named Nana Kwaku Bonsam, who obligingly announced plans to place a hex on Harry Kane.

A tired and troubling trope

The so-called 'African witch doctor' framing — particularly when attached to curses — has long drawn criticism for reducing the legitimate and often vital community work of traditional healers to a source of mockery. Scholars and journalists alike have noted the term carries, in their words, 'centuries of colonial baggage.'

Nana told the Daily Star: "I am working on Harry Kane. I have shown what I am capable of before so I know what work I must do to stop him. I am very famous for my predictions."

He added: "I am not wishing [Kane] serious injury. It will be just enough to stop him against my country. I will do my work so that it can help Ghana."

Nana has also previously claimed responsibility for Cristiano Ronaldo's knee trouble heading into the 2014 World Cup. In reality, Ronaldo started every match for Portugal at that tournament and scored the winning goal in a 2-1 victory over Ghana — as both nations exited in the group stage.

Group L standings ahead of the match

On the pitch, the stakes are genuine. Ghana edged their opening fixture 1-0 against Panama, courtesy of Caleb Yirenkyi's strike deep into stoppage time at 95'. England, meanwhile, opened with a commanding 4-2 win over Croatia: Kane netted a first-half brace, with Jude Bellingham and Marcus Rashford adding second-half goals.

Both sides enter Tuesday's encounter level on points, meaning a win for either team could be enough to seal top place in Group L — though the outcome of the later game between Panama and Croatia will also factor in.

Kick-off at Gilette Stadium is scheduled for 4pm local time (9pm UK time).