Segun Atanda/
Nigeria’s hopes of reaching the 2026 World Cup ended in painful fashion on Sunday after a 1-1 draw with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) in Rabat was settled by penalties, with the Leopards prevailing in the shootout and advancing to the inter-confederation play-offs.
The contest, already tense on the pitch, erupted off it after Super Eagles head coach, Éric Chelle, told reporters he believed a member of the DR Congo delegation was performing ritual acts, which he described as “voodoo”, during the shootout.
The match itself produced an early breakthrough for Nigeria when Frank Onyeka put the Super Eagles ahead, and DR Congo levelled through Meschack Elia before the game went to extra time and then penalties.
The Leopards converted more spot-kicks to win the shootout, leaving Nigeria to rue missed opportunities as they were eliminated from the World Cup pathway.
Footage that has circulated widely on social media shows an animated Chelle confronting members of the DR Congo technical staff after the match and later addressing journalists with a remark that has quickly become headline news.
“During all the penalties, the guy from DR Congo did some voodoo,” Chelle said, according to a viral clip shared on X. He added that the gestures he saw, which he could not fully describe, made him uneasy during the shootout.
Nigerian media and fans reacted strongly to Chelle’s comments, which some described as an explanation for what felt like an inexplicable collapse in the penalty shootout.
As of this report there has been no formal response from the DR Congo Football Association (FECOFA) or from the Leopards’ coaching staff directly addressing Chelle’s allegation.
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