Nigeria coach, Eric Chelle, has alleged that a member of DR Congo’s staff engaged in “voodoo” during the penalty shootout of Sunday’s World Cup playoff in Rabat, where the Super Eagles were eliminated from contention for the 2026 tournament.
The term voodoo is widely used to describe different forms of traditional spiritual or ritual practices, although it is often referenced inaccurately in sports discussions.
Players, coaches, and fans occasionally raise claims that opponents rely on such practices to influence a match, implying that the result was affected by supernatural activity rather than tactics or athletic performance.
Nigeria’s qualification bid ended in a 4–3 penalty defeat after the match concluded 1–1 over 120 minutes at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium.
The outcome means the Super Eagles will miss the World Cup for the second consecutive edition.
In a video shared by ESPN Africa on X on Monday, which captured Chelle speaking to journalists after the game, he explained that he reacted out of frustration after seeing repeated gestures from an individual in DR Congo’s technical area during the VAR review of 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 pressed to clarify what he observed, Chelle demonstrated the gesture and added, “Something like that. I don’t know if it’s water or something like that.”
The allegations have not been independently verified.
PUNCH Online reports that Nigeria opened scoring through Frank Onyeka in the third minute before M. Elia levelled for DR Congo in the 32nd minute.
Both teams produced scoring opportunities during extra time, but neither side was able to secure a decisive goal.
The penalty shootout fluctuated with momentum swings.
Calvin Bassey and Moses Simon were unable to convert Nigeria’s early kicks, while goalkeeper Nwabali saved DR Congo’s first attempt to keep the contest even.
Akor Adams scored to keep Nigeria within reach before DR Congo converted their fourth penalty, sealing a 4–3 victory.
The win sends DR Congo into the intercontinental playoff, where they will compete for one of the remaining places at the expanded 48-team World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Nigeria advanced to the final after defeating Gabon 4–1 in extra time on Thursday, while DR Congo progressed with a 1–0 victory over Cameroon.
The Leopards will now await their playoff opponent as their qualification push continues, while Nigeria’s hopes came to an end in a dramatic and painful finish in Rabat.
