Nigeria’s World Cup dream came to an end on Sunday after a dramatic 4–3 penalty shootout defeat to DR Congo in Rabat, but the match is now drawing extra attention due to a controversial claim from Super Eagles head coach, Eric Chelle.
Speaking after the game—which ended 1–1 after 120 tense minutes—Chelle alleged that a member of DR Congo’s staff engaged in what he described as “voodoo” during the penalty shootout at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium.
“During all the penalty decisions, a guy from Congo did some voodoo… Every time, every time, every time. So this is why I was a little nervous after him,” Chelle said.
The term voodoo is often used loosely in football conversations to describe spiritual or ritual practices, though it is frequently applied inaccurately. Such claims typically arise when players, coaches, or fans feel that opponents use supernatural methods to influence a match’s outcome—suggesting it was more than just tactics or skill at play.
Nigeria’s elimination from the race to the 2026 FIFA World Cup has prompted heated debate among supporters, with Chelle’s comments adding another layer of drama to an already emotional night.
