Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has accused the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) of resorting to “voodoo” rituals during Sunday’s dramatic CAF World Cup qualifying play-off final in Morocco.
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Speaking to reporters after the match, Chelle said his frustrations were directed at members of the Congolese backroom staff during the tense penalty shootout that ultimately decided the game.
Nigeria took an early lead in the third minute through a deflected strike from Frank Onyeka, but Meschak Elia equalized for DR Congo later in the first half. With no further goals in regulation or extra time, the match ended 1-1 after 120 minutes, leading to penalties.
DR Congo eventually triumphed 4-3 on spot-kicks, securing a place in the inter-confederation play-offs in March 2026 and ending Nigeria’s hopes of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Tempers flared immediately after the winning penalty by DR Congo captain Chancel Mbemba. Chelle stormed toward the Congolese technical area, confronting head coach Sébastien Desabre and other staff members before being restrained by Nigeria’s officials. Desabre later downplayed the incident, describing it as “not an issue.”
However, Chelle insisted that members of the Congolese bench were performing “voodoo” rituals during each penalty attempt. “During all the penalty sessions, the guy from Congo did some voodoo,” he said. “Every time, so this is why I was a little nervous. He was using something like water, I don’t know exactly, but he was spraying it.”
The 48-year-old coach further elaborated that the alleged ritual, referred to as “maraboutage,” was intended to jinx Nigerian players. “DR Congo guys were doing maraboutage,” Chelle said in French, repeating the claim later in English.
@thenigerialawyer“DR Congo Official Used Voodoo During Penalty Shootout” — Chelle Makes Shocking Claims After World Cup Qualifier Defeat
A DR Congo representative denied the allegations when contacted, insisting there was no use of spiritual or supernatural practices during the shootout.
The defeat continues Nigeria’s recent World Cup woes, marking the second consecutive edition the Super Eagles have failed to qualify for, following their absence from the 2022 tournament.
With the victory, DR Congo joins other teams in the six-team inter-confederation play-offs, including New Caledonia, Bolivia, and either Iraq or the United Arab Emirates. Costa Rica and Curaçao currently occupy CONCACAF’s two playoff slots. All six teams will be seeded based on FIFA rankings, with the pathway winners securing the 47th and 48th spots at the 2026 World Cup.
Chelle’s allegations have added a dramatic twist to an already tense encounter, highlighting the passion and intensity surrounding Nigeria’s pursuit of World Cup qualification.
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