Nigerian Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has leveled a serious accusation against DR Congo. He claimed that a DR Congo staff member performed “voodoo” during the World Cup playoff final. The match took place on Sunday in Rabat, Morocco, and ended in a 1–1 draw after 120 minutes of play.
The Super Eagles later suffered a 4–3 defeat on penalties and were eliminated from the 2026 tournament race. Moreover, key Nigerian players like Victor Osimhen sustained injuries during the match, creating a major setback for the team.
Consequently, the Super Eagles will miss the World Cup, marking the second consecutive time they have failed to qualify.
Chelle spoke to reporters after the game and expressed frustration with the DR Congo technical crew. ESPN Africa posted a video on X on November 17, showing Chelle explaining that he reacted out of frustration after observing repeated gestures from the opposing technical area.
Chelle said the man “did some voodoo… every time.” He added, “So this is why I was a little nervous after him.” When asked to clarify, he demonstrated the gestures, saying the man was spraying “water or something like that.” Chelle even mimicked the mysterious arm movements he claimed to have seen.
However, the DR Congo coach downplayed the post-match confrontation and dismissed the allegations. Meanwhile, Chelle now faces a potential FIFA sanction for his remarks.
The term “voodoo” often refers to traditional spiritual practices, though interpretations vary widely across cultures.
Watch the video below:
