Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has broken his silence following controversial comments made after Nigeria's heartbreaking elimination from the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
The Nigerian national team suffered a 4-3 penalty shootout defeat against DR Congo in the playoff final played on Sunday, November 16, 2025, in Rabat, Morocco. The loss marks Chelle's failure to secure World Cup qualification, a key condition in his contract signed in January 2025.
The Viral 'Voodoo' Incident
In emotional post-match comments that quickly went viral on social media platform X, the 48-year-old Malian coach had claimed he observed suspicious activities from the Congolese technical bench during the crucial penalty session.
"During the penalty session, a guy from DR Congo did some voodoo. Every time, every time every time, so this is why I was a little bit nervous after him," Chelle had stated in the viral video. "I saw something like that (raising his hand, chanting something). I don't know if it's water or something."
Nigeria's penalty performance saw them miss their first two attempts before Semi Ajayi ultimately lost the decisive kick that sealed their World Cup fate.
Chelle's Official Clarification
In a comprehensive statement posted on his Instagram account, Coach Chelle has now clarified the circumstances surrounding his emotional outburst.
The former Mali international explained that his reaction stemmed from an altercation with a member of the DR Congo staff who attempted to enter his technical area during the match, rather than any supernatural beliefs.
"Football is emotions. After the match, I reacted impulsively due to an altercation with a member of the DRC staff who was trying to enter my technical area," Chelle stated. "I never meant to target the Congolese people or staff, whom I respect."
Moving Forward Together
Despite the disappointment of elimination, Chelle expressed pride in his players and acknowledged Congo's superior performance on the day.
"Disappointed about the elimination, but proud of my players. Congratulations to Congo, who was better. The public showed great fervor, just like ours. We're moving forward together," the coach added.
Chelle also took the opportunity to warn fans about misinformation, specifically noting that a Twitter account bearing his name is fake and not operated by him.
The coach's statement has generated significant reactions from Nigerian football fans, with many calling for redemption at upcoming tournaments while others criticized his initial comments as damaging to African football's image.
