Chelle Alleges ‘Voodoo Tactics’ by DR Congo After Nigeria’s Playoff Defeat

Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has accused the Democratic Republic of Congo of engaging in “voodoo practices” during the tense penalty shoot-out that sealed Nigeria’s exit from the World Cup qualifying playoff in Morocco on Sunday.

Chelle made the claim while speaking to journalists after the match. He said his anger during the shoot-out was triggered by actions from members of DR Congo’s backroom staff, which he described as ritual-like behaviour aimed at unsettling Nigerian players.

Nigeria opened the scoring in the third minute when Frank Onyeka’s deflected strike found the net. DR Congo later equalised through Meschak Elia before halftime. Neither team managed another goal through the remainder of regulation and extra time, sending the contest into a shoot-out after 120 minutes locked at 1–1.

DR Congo eventually edged Nigeria on penalties to reach the final phase of the World Cup qualifying play-offs.

Tensions escalated once Chancel Mbemba scored the decisive penalty. Chelle was seen charging toward the Congolese technical area where he confronted several team officials including head coach Sébastien Desabre before Nigeria’s staff intervened to restrain him.

Desabre later dismissed the clash, telling reporters the incident was “not an issue.”

Chelle insisted otherwise. He said individuals on the DR Congo bench repeatedly performed actions he interpreted as attempts to cast a spell on Nigerian players.

“Throughout the penalty session the Congo guy kept doing voodoo,” Chelle said. “Every time, and that is why I reacted the way I did.”

When pressed to describe what he witnessed, Chelle added, “I saw him using something like water or something he was spraying upward.”

The loss deepens Nigeria’s World Cup struggles. The Super Eagles also missed out on the 2022 World Cup which makes this the first time they have failed to reach two consecutive tournaments since their debut in 1994.