"We all need to help in changing some players' mentality about using 'black power' to destroy themselves, and also make sure we instill discipline and respect for each other," Stevanovic said.
"After losing to Zambia, there arose so many accusations amongst the players. I have learnt great lessons from African football and also about Ghanaian players' behaviour on and off the field."
Witchcraft remains a common practice in continental Africa, and it has played a role in African soccer since the game was first played there. Players use it to give themselves luck or even superpowers. Whether or not it works is not important. The key is for the players to believe that it works.
Ghana's story takes a strange twist because the Serbian Stevanovic claims players were using witchcraft against each other, instead of their opponents.
In top-level soccer, there are rarely large gulfs in skill level between teams. Results are often determined by mental factors like focus, confidence and self-belief. Ghana lost to eventual champion Zambia in the semifinal.
GFA president Kwesi Nyantakyi says the public facade of a unified Ghanaian team — videos of players singing, dancing and praying together created this — was an illusion. Some players set out to raise their own profiles first, and put the needs of the team second.
"During the competition we observed that some players played to achieve personal fame, prominence and excellence to the detriment of the team," Nyantakyi said.
"We also had complaints from some senior players, accusing some of the junior ones of disrespect."
Stevanovic didn't make his comments to the media. He gave this assessment in a report that was prepared for the executive committee of the Ghana Football Association (GFA). The report was leaked to the media.
Have a question for Marcus Kwesi O'Mard? Send it to him via Twitter at @NESNsoccer, NESN Soccer's Facebook page or send it here. He will pick a few questions to answer every week for his mailbag.
Photo via Flickr/Karmor
