Nigeria’s coach, Eric Chelle, has accused a DR Congo staff member of engaging in ‘voodoo’ during the penalty shootout of Sunday’s World Cup playoff in Rabat, where the Super Eagles were eliminated from the 2026 tournament.
The term ‘voodoo’ typically describes a range of traditional spiritual or ritual practices, although it is often misapplied or misrepresented in sports discussions.
Players, coaches, or fans sometimes assert that their opponents employ it to affect the outcome of a match, suggesting that supernatural forces rather than skill or strategy influenced the result.
Nigeria’s campaign culminated in a 4–3 defeat on penalties after the match ended 1–1 across 120 minutes at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium.
The loss incurred by the Super Eagles means they will not participate in the World Cup for the second consecutive year.
In a video posted by ESPN Africa on X on Monday, Chelle addressed journalists after the match, stating that his reaction was a result of frustration caused by repeated gestures from a member of DR Congo’s technical area during the video assistant referee review for a penalty incident.
“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,” he said.
When asked to explain what he saw, Chelle added while gesturing: “Something like that. I don’t know if it’s water or something like that.”
The claims could not be independently verified.
KIKIS’BLOG Online reports that Nigeria had taken an early lead through Frank Onyeka in the third minute before M. Elia drew DR Congo level in the 32nd minute.
Both sides created chances in extra time but neither team found a winner.
The shootout was marked by dramatic shifts in momentum. Calvin Bassey and Moses Simon missed Nigeria’s early penalties, while Nwabali made a vital save on DR Congo’s first attempt to maintain parity.
Akor Adams’ goal kept Nigeria in contention before DR Congo scored their fourth penalty to clinch a 4–3 win.
The result secures DR Congo’s place in the intercontinental playoff, where they will vie for one of the remaining spots in the expanded 48-team World Cup, scheduled to take place in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Nigeria advanced to the final following a thrilling 4–1 extra-time victory over Gabon in Thursday’s semi-final, while DR Congo edged Cameroon 1–0 to secure their berth.
The Leopards now await their playoff opponent as their qualification bid continues, while the Super Eagles’ aspirations ended in disappointment in Rabat.
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