Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has attributed Nigeria’s exit from the 2026 World Cup qualifying playoff to what he described as “voodoo rituals” allegedly performed by the Democratic Republic of Congo during the decisive penalty shoot-out.
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Chelle made the claim after Nigeria’s 1-1 draw in regular and extra time ended in heartbreak from the spot, allowing DR Congo to advance to the inter-continental stage and ending the Super Eagles’ hopes of reaching the global tournament.
Speaking to reporters, the coach alleged that members of DR Congo’s technical bench engaged in strange acts each time a Nigerian player stepped forward to take a penalty. He said they appeared to be “sprinkling something that looked like water,” insisting the display made him uneasy during the shoot-out.
Critics accused Chelle of deflecting responsibility for the loss. Nigerian commentator Maazi Chinualumogu faulted the coach’s approach, arguing that Nigeria lacked tactical creativity after scoring early in the match. He pointed to poor width, weak midfield presence and the absence of a tactical Plan B as key reasons for the team’s collapse, noting that DR Congo pressed better, made smarter substitutions and converted their penalties confidently.
He urged the Super Eagles to set excuses aside and focus on preparing for the upcoming AFCON tournament in Morocco, stressing the need for stronger leadership and a clearer tactical identity.
As the debate over Chelle’s remarks grows, neither DR Congo officials nor match authorities have issued any response to the allegations.
