By: Kwame Bediako
Nigeria’s World Cup playoff defeat to DR Congo has been engulfed in controversy after Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle accused the Congolese team of using “voodoo” during the penalty shootout.
Chelle alleged that a member of DR Congo’s staff made ritualistic gestures that distracted him and his players.
“During the penalty session, the guy from Congo did some vodoo. So this is why I was a little nervous after him,” Chelle told reporters following the match.
The match, played in Rabat, Morocco, ended 1-1 after extra time.
The match went to penalties, where DR Congo clinched a 4-3 shootout victory, securing a place in the inter-confederation playoff.
Chelle’s comments have divided opinion in the football community.
The allegation raises questions about the pressure and mental warfare teams face in crucial qualifiers.
DR Congo’s coach, Sebastien Desabre, responded to the accusations by focusing on his side’s performance.
“We respect the game and our opponents,” Desabre said, rejecting the claims and praising his team’s hard-fought victory.
His emphasis was firmly on fair play and the skill that earned them the win.
With DR Congo moving on to the next stage of World Cup qualification, Nigeria faces the disappointment of missing the tournament for the second consecutive time.
Chelle’s remarks add a dramatic edge to a high-stakes encounter that was already filled with tension and intense competition.
