In a stunning post-match outburst, Nigeria’s head coach Eric Chelle has alleged that the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) used “voodoo” rituals to secure their victory over the Super Eagles in a dramatic penalty shootout. The defeat in Rabat on 17 November 2025 ended Nigeria’s hopes of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The highly charged African World Cup playoff final ended 1-1 after extra time, forcing a penalty shootout to decide which nation would advance to the intercontinental playoffs. DR Congo ultimately triumphed 4-3 from the spot. However, the match will be remembered less for the football and more for the extraordinary supernatural claims made by the Nigerian coach immediately after the final whistle.
Coach’s Bizarre Voodoo Allegation
A visibly agitated Eric Chelle did not hold back in his post-match press conference, making a series of remarkable claims about the conduct of the Congolese bench. According to a video published by ESPN Africa on X, Chelle stated that he witnessed a DR Congo official performing rituals during the critical penalty kicks.
He introduced his claims to reporters, saying:
“During all the penalty sessions, the DR Congo did some voodoo. Every time. Every time. That was why I was a bit nervous.”
When pressed for details on what he had seen, the Franco-Malian coach demonstrated a hand motion. He elaborated, stating:
“Something like that. I don’t know if it’s water or something like that.”
The term “voodoo” is commonly used in African football circles to describe spiritual or ritual practices believed to influence the outcome of a match, often by bringing bad luck to the opposition.
Tensions Boil Over On The Pitch
Chelle’s frustration was visibly evident even before the shootout concluded. Footage circulated on social media shows the Nigerian coach attempting to confront members of the DR Congo technical area just before Chancel Mbemba stepped up to score the decisive penalty. According to SABC Sport, Chelle was seen with his arms outstretched, shouting towards the opposition bench before being physically restrained by his own staff.
The confrontation did not end with the final kick. As the Congolese team began their celebrations, Chelle again had to be held back as he moved towards the rival bench. The incident marred what was a historic victory for DR Congo, who now advance to the intercontinental playoffs scheduled for March 2026. For Nigeria, the defeat marks a devastating low, as the Super Eagles will miss their second consecutive World Cup, a first since their debut in 1994.
A Surreal Post-Match Scene
The allegations created a surreal atmosphere following the match. Prominent journalist Osasu Obayiuwana, who was present at the press conference, expressed his disbelief on X, writing:
“I sat directly in front of Eric Chelle when he said it. And I was wondering if I had heard him correctly. It was surreal…”
When approached for comment, a representative from the DR Congo camp denied Chelle’s allegations. The controversy has since dominated sports headlines across the continent, overshadowing the football itself and sparking widespread debate about the place of such accusations in the modern game.
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The post Nigeria Coach Eric Chelle Claims DR Congo Used Juju Rituals After Super Eagles Defeated In 2026 World Cup Playoff appeared first on iHarare News.
