Nigeria’s head coach, Eric Chelle, has claimed that a member of the DR Congo technical crew performed a ritual-like act during the tense penalty shootout of Sunday’s World Cup playoff in Rabat, where the Super Eagles were eliminated from the race to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Chelle said the official’s conduct appeared to be intended to influence the outcome of the shootout.
The term often casually referred to as “voodoo” in sports discussions is typically used — and sometimes misused — to describe traditional spiritual or ritual practices.
Players, coaches, or fans sometimes claim that opponents use it to influence the outcome of a match, suggesting that supernatural forces rather than skill or strategy were responsible for the result.
Nigeria’s campaign ended in a 4–3 defeat on penalties after the match finished 1–1 across 120 minutes at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium.
The loss means the Super Eagles will miss the World Cup for the second consecutive year.
In a video posted by ESPN Africa on X on Monday, which showed Chelle speaking to journalists after the match, Chelle said he reacted out of frustration after witnessing repeated gestures from a member of DR Congo’s technical area during the video assistant referee review for a penalty incident.
“During all the penalty decision, a guy of Congo did some voodoo… Every time, every time, every time. So this is why I was a little nervous after him,” he said.
When asked to explain what he saw, Chelle added while gesturing: “Something like that. I don’t know if it’s water or something like that.”
The claims could not be independently verified.
Nigeria had taken an early lead through Frank Onyeka in the third minute before M. Elia drew DR Congo level in the 32nd minute.
Both sides created chances in extra time but neither team found a winner.
The shootout swung back and forth.
READ ALSO: Penalty Heartbreak: DR Congo Defeat Eagles 4–3
Calvin Bassey and Moses Simon failed to convert Nigeria’s early kicks, while Nwabali saved DR Congo’s first attempt to keep the contest balanced.
Akor Adams’ effort kept Nigeria in contention before DR Congo scored their fourth penalty to seal the 4–3 win.
The result sends DR Congo into the intercontinental playoff for a chance to secure one of the remaining tickets to the expanded 48-team World Cup scheduled to hold in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Nigeria had reached the final after a dramatic 4–1 extra-time win over Gabon in Thursday’s semi-final, while DR Congo defeated Cameroon 1–0 to book their place.
The Leopards now await their playoff opponent as their qualification bid continues, while the Super Eagles’ hopes ended in painful fashion in Rabat.