Nigeria’s head coach, Eric Chelle, has stirred controversy after alleging that the Democratic Republic of Congo engaged in “voodoo” practices during the tense World Cup qualifying playoff that ended the Super Eagles’ 2026 hopes.
Gatekeepers News reports that Nigeria and DR Congo played out a 1-1 draw after extra time in Rabat on Sunday before the Congolese triumphed 4-3 on penalties to advance to next March’s inter-confederation play-offs in Mexico.
Speaking to journalists after the match, Chelle claimed he repeatedly witnessed suspicious actions from a DR Congo team member.
“A member of their team did some voodoo, every time, every time, every time,” the former Mali international said. “That is why I was a bit nervous.”
Chelle, who had earlier warned that the match would be “very difficult in Morocco,” used hand gestures while explaining what he saw.
He said the individual appeared to be waving his hand as if “sprinkling or shaking something. I don’t know if it’s water or something like that.”
The match itself was a tense affair, culminating in a dramatic shootout where four penalties were saved and one missed. In driving rain — and despite a bottle thrown in his direction — DR Congo captain Chancel Mbemba kept his composure to score the winning spot-kick, securing his nation’s push for a return to the World Cup for the first time since 1974, when they competed as Zaire.
Nigeria, ranked 19 places above DR Congo and widely seen as favourites, failed to qualify for a second consecutive World Cup — their first back-to-back absence since their debut in 1994.
Frank Onyeka opened scoring for Nigeria in the 3rd minute before Mechak Elia equalised in the 32nd for the Leopards. Both sides created further chances, with Tolu Arokodare coming close for Nigeria, while goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali made a crucial save from a Leopards free kick.
In the shootout, Nwabali saved two penalties, but missed efforts from Calvin Bassey, Moses Simon, and Semi Ajayi proved costly. Mbemba’s decisive kick ultimately sealed the Leopards’ place in the intercontinental playoff.
