Éric Chelle, the head coach of the Nigeria national team, has made a surprising accusation against the Congo DR team, suggesting they engaged in “voodoo” tactics during the penalty shootout that ended Nigeria’s hopes of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup.
Frank Onyeka initially put Nigeria in the lead in this critical qualifier, but Meschack Elia equalized for Congo, leading to a penalty shootout where DR Congo claimed a 4-3 victory, keeping their own World Cup chances alive.
Following the loss, Chelle voiced his unusual claim, noting that Nigeria will now miss out on the World Cup for the second consecutive time.
“During the penalty decisions, the individual from Congo was performing some Voodoo. It happened every single time, which is why I felt a bit nervous during the process,” Chelle explained to reporters.
When pressed for details about what he observed, Chelle gestured with his right arm but couldn’t provide specifics on his assertion.
– Nigeria eliminated from World Cup after shootout defeat to Congo
– Have Nigeria squandered one of their finest generations?
“It was something like that,” he added, gesturing. “I don’t know if it was water or something else,” he said.
This defeat, coming against an opponent ranked 19 places lower, marked Nigeria’s third missed World Cup since 2006.
In the wake of the defeat, the Nigeria Football Federation issued an apology to fans and the nation. They expressed regret in a statement, addressing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the citizens of Nigeria, saying,
“The Nigeria Football Federation sincerely apologizes to His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu [GCFR], the Federal Government, and millions of Nigerians, especially our devoted football fans, following the Super Eagles’ failure to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.”
“The loss to DR Congo in the Africa Play-off Final in Rabat is a moment of deep sorrow for Nigerian football. For a country where the Super Eagles symbolize unity, hope, and pride, missing the World Cup for a second consecutive time is a significant disappointment.”
“We, at the NFF along with the technical staff and players, fully grasp the weight of this moment. We acknowledge the high expectations of the Nigerian people.”
“We recognize the passion and sacrifices of a nation that has always steadfastly supported its team through victories as well as challenges and understand that our collective effort did not yield the outcome that the nation deserved.”