Sports
How ‘voodoo’ played role in Nigeria’s defeat to DR Congo – Chelle
Nigeria’s football coach has accused the Democratic Republic of Congo of using “voodoo” moments after the Super Eagles crashed out of the race for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
News Point Nigeria Sports reports that Nigeria and DR Congo played a 1-1 draw after extra time in the African play-offs final in Rabat on Sunday.
DR Congo later triumphed 4-3 on penalties to reach the inter-confederation play-offs scheduled for Mexico in March.
Speaking to journalists after the defeat, coach Eric Chelle claimed a member of the Congolese delegation repeatedly engaged in strange acts during the game. According to him, “a DR Congo team member did some voodoo, every time, every time, every time.”
“That is why I was a bit nervous,” the former Mali international said. Chelle, who has enjoyed four wins and two draws in competitive games since taking charge of the Super Eagles, had earlier warned that playing in Morocco would be “very difficult.”
Using hand gestures, he explained that he saw a DR Congo official waving his hand as if sprinkling or shaking something. “I don’t know if it’s water or something like that,” he added.
The tense penalty shootout featured four saved kicks and another miss. DR Congo captain Chancel Mbemba held his nerve despite a bottle thrown at him and heavy rain to score the winning penalty, giving his country a chance to return to the global stage for the first time in decades.
Nigeria, ranked 19 places above DR Congo and widely seen as favourites, have now failed to qualify for two consecutive World Cups, the first time since they made their debut in 1994.
While the Super Eagles are traditionally a strong presence at the World Cup, DR Congo have appeared only once, in 1974, when the country competed as Zaire.
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