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Eric Chelle, the head coach of the Nigeria national football team coach, has alleged that a DR Congo staff member engaged in “voodoo” during the penalty shootout of Sunday’s World Cup playoff final in Rabat, Morocco, where the Super Eagles were knocked out of the race for the 2026 tournament.
Nigeria’s campaign ended in a 4–3 defeat on penalties after the match finished 1–1 across 120 minutes at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium.
The loss means the Super Eagles will miss the World Cup for the second consecutive year.
Speaking to reporters after the game, Chelle expressed his frustration at some of the DR Congo staff members during the penalty shoot-out.
A video posted by ESPN Africa on X on Monday, Nov. 17, showed Chelle stating that he reacted out of frustration after witnessing repeated gestures from a member of DR Congo’s technical area during the video assistant referee review for 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 asked to explain what he saw, Chelle added while gesturing: “Something like that. I don’t know if it’s water or something like that [he was spraying it up].”
Nigerian coach Chelle alleges DR Congo used voodoo during penalty shootout (video)
Nigerian coach Chelle alleges DR Congo used voodoo during penalty shootout (video)
The term voodoo is commonly used to describe traditional spiritual or ritual practices.
Watch the video below.
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