Nigeria's national football team coach Eric Chelle has made startling allegations against DR Congo, claiming their staff engaged in voodoo practices during the crucial penalty shootout that ended the Super Eagles' World Cup dreams.
The Dramatic World Cup Elimination
The shocking incident occurred during Sunday's World Cup playoff final in Rabat, Morocco, where Nigeria suffered a heartbreaking 4-3 defeat on penalties after the match finished 1-1 across 120 minutes of intense football action. The devastating loss at Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium means the Super Eagles will miss the World Cup for the second consecutive tournament cycle, dealing a massive blow to Nigerian football aspirations.
Chelle's Voodoo Allegations
Speaking to journalists in the aftermath of the crushing defeat, Coach Chelle expressed visible frustration and pointed fingers at specific DR Congo staff members for what he described as supernatural interference. "During all the penalty decision, a guy of Congo did some voodoo... Every time, every time, every time. So this is why I was a little nervous after him," Chelle stated emphatically.
The Mali-born coach explained that his reaction stemmed from witnessing repeated gestures from a member of DR Congo's technical area during the video assistant referee review for a penalty incident. When pressed for details about what he observed, Chelle demonstrated the actions while telling reporters: "Something like that. I don't know if it's water or something like that [he was spraying it up]."
Video Evidence and Aftermath
ESPN Africa substantiated the claims by posting video evidence on X platform on Monday, November 17, showing the controversial moments that prompted Chelle's allegations. The footage captures the tense atmosphere during the penalty shootout and the coach's visible agitation towards the DR Congo technical area.
The term voodoo, as referenced by Chelle, commonly describes traditional spiritual or ritual practices in African football contexts, where such allegations occasionally surface during high-stakes matches. This incident adds another controversial chapter to Nigeria's football history and raises questions about the psychological warfare that sometimes accompanies crucial penalty shootouts in African football competitions.
The defeat marks a significant setback for Nigerian football, with the Super Eagles failing to qualify for the 2026 World Cup despite their rich talent pool and footballing heritage. The allegations have sparked widespread discussion among football enthusiasts and analysts across the continent about the boundaries of gamesmanship in international competitions.
