Online Reporter
H-Metro Reporter
DEBATE on whether there is legitimate prophecy in football results has been reignited following the conclusion of the 2026 Fifa World Cup in the United States on Sunday.
European champions Spain beat holders Argentina 1-0 after extra time to become the new World Cup winners.
Amid confusion over whether he was making predictions as a football follower or using his supposed gift of prophecy, Passion Java has hogged the social media limelight.
This follows the re-emergence of a You Tube clip reportedly made in March in which he was giving “prophecy” on many events scheduled or expected in 2026.
Among them was the FIFA World Cup.
On the clip he appears to make reference to Spain winning and then generalises to say the winner will come from Europe.
Going into the tournament, there were EIGHT European teams among the top 10 pre-tournament favourites led by Spain, France and England.
South American heavyweights Brazil and Argentina came in on fifth, and sixth position followed by Portugal, Germany, Netherlands, Norway and Belgium.
This is where critics dispute the prophecy notion, arguing that determining the outcomes of sporting events is more to do with church leaders being predictors just like betting experts.
The argument is that divine prophecy is traditionally reserved for matters of spiritual guidance.
To the critics, match outcomes are determined by athletic performance, team preparation, strategy, and on-pitch variables rather than supernatural intervention.
Passion Java’s YouTube video posted in March has been doing the rounds since Sunday’s final and he even took to social media to remind his followers.
In the March video, there was reference to jersey number 7 being a match winner, which had automatically been linked to Portugal legend, Cristiano Ronaldo.
It, however, happens to be the jersey number for Spain’s super-sub Ferran Torres, who scored the match winner on Sunday.
Java had mentioned a number seven celebrating twice, and while Torres scored once, his second effort was ruled out for offside.
“Then you say we are fake prophets,” read one of his posts which has attracted huge engagement on Facebook.
One of the comments read:
“Surely prophecy is not for everyone. A lot of men of God were saying that God showed them Argentina. Does this mean you people see different things?”
While another said:
“Yes, you said & quote ; I see Spain… I see number 7 and number 7 is the one who scored…I salute you man”
A third one added:
“Spain won This an accurate prophecy from Prophet passion Java at the begin of the world cup he said a red team will win and he saw number 7 celebrating of which Spain won and number 7 scored”
On the other hand, some felt it was a prediction:
“So everyone who predicted that Spain will win is now a Prophet?” Another said:
“Anyone can easily say that ask gamblers there is a guy who even bet Enzo Fernandez to receive a red card and Spain win in extra time.”
Meanwhile, another prophet, Obey Mukanhairi, had on Friday said he would have failed in prophecy if Spain were to win the World Cup but put a disclaimer that he might change his position.
At that time he gave the World Cup to Argentina.
And, on Sunday, Mukanhairi made a post that caused confusion with regards earlier claims that Argentina, winning the World Cup, was the prophecy.
“Pakumhanya neArgentina paya ndakanga ndabhaiza. We learn we move” said Mukanhairi.
A follower challenged him:
“Dr Obey Tichafa Mukanhairi, I have a question Baba. You said makazviona pamweya kuti Argentina is winning, so now zvachinjwa ne Mweya here?
“Don’t confuse people because chaonekwa pa mweya will just remain as it is no matter vanhu vakufara here or vakatsanwa. “You are just confusing people nemaitiro ako aya, rongeka.
“Chingotaura zvawaona pamweya wonyarara. Anotsamwa ngaatsamwe, stick to what you have seen. It’s becoming a joke here,” said the follower.
