Eric Chelle has Accused DR Congo of Voodoo in the African playoffs final After Nigeria’s Super Eagles failed to reach the 2026 World Cup after losing 4–3 on penalties to DR Congo. The match ended 1–1 after extra time, pushing the tie into a tense shootout that ultimately went against Nigeria.
But it was head coach Eric Chelle’s explosive comments that quickly overshadowed the result. Chelle alleged that DR Congo used “voodoo rituals” during the shootout, saying, “During all the penalty sessions, the DR Congo did some voodoo. Every time. Every time. That was why I was a bit nervous.”
The Franco-Malian coach told reporters he saw someone on the DR Congo bench using “something water” to jinx his players. His accusations came shortly after Calvin Bassey, Moses Simon, and Semi Ajayi missed their penalties, while Chancel Mbemba sealed Congo’s win with the deciding kick.
Chelle confronted the DR Congo bench after the final kick, prompting officials to intervene to prevent a fight. The heated exchange added another dramatic layer to an already emotional night for African football.
Nigeria’s failure marks a rare back-to-back absence from the World Cup after also missing Qatar 2022. It is the first time the Super Eagles will miss two consecutive tournaments since they debuted in 1994, deepening concerns over the team’s long-term direction.
