Nigeria head coach Eric Chelle has sparked
controversy after alleging that a staff member of the DR Congo national team
engaged in “voodoo” during the tense penalty shootout of Sunday’s 2026 World
Cup playoff final in Rabat, Morocco.
The Super Eagles were eliminated after a 4–3
penalty defeat, following a 1–1 draw across 120 minutes at the Prince
Moulay Abdellah Stadium—a result that means Nigeria will miss the World Cup
for the second consecutive edition.
Chelle: “A DR Congo staff member was doing
voodoo”
Speaking to journalists after the match, Chelle
expressed his irritation over what he described as suspicious repeated gestures
from a DR Congo staff member during the VAR review for a penalty incident.
A video posted by ESPN Africa on Monday, Nov.
17, captured the coach saying:
“During all the penalty decision, a guy of Congo did
some voodoo… Every time, every time, every time. That is why I was a little
nervous after him.”
When pressed to clarify what exactly he witnessed,
Chelle gestured upward with his hands and added:
“Something like that. I don’t know if it’s water or
something [he was spraying it up].”
The coach did not provide further details, nor did he
outright accuse DR Congo of influencing the outcome—but his comments have since
fueled widespread debate online.
Background: A high-stakes match with a
painful outcome
Nigeria took the lead early in the first half through Frank
Onyeka, but DR Congo equalized in the 32nd minute via Mechak Elia.
The match remained deadlocked through extra time, eventually proceeding to
penalties.
A missed Nigerian kick proved decisive, sending the
Leopards of DR Congo to the intercontinental playoffs scheduled for March 2026.
The “voodoo” context
The term voodoo is popularly used in African
football to describe any act perceived as ritualistic or spiritual during
matches, though it often refers broadly to traditional cultural practices.
Chelle’s comments have added a new dimension to
Nigeria’s heartbreak, with fans and pundits now discussing not only the team’s
performance but also the atmosphere surrounding the high-pressure encounter.
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