Home / Sports / Nigerian Coach Alleges "Voodoo" Practices by DR Congo in Penalty Shootout
Nigerian Coach Alleges "Voodoo" Practices by DR Congo in Penalty Shootout
17 Nov
Summary
- Nigeria's coach Eric Chelle claims DR Congo players used "voodoo" during penalty shootout
- DR Congo won 4-3 on penalties after 1-1 draw, advancing to next round of World Cup qualifiers
- Chelle confronted DR Congo staff after the match, had to be separated by Nigeria's backroom team
On November 13, 2025, Nigeria's national football team faced off against DR Congo in the final of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) World Cup play-off. The match ended in a 1-1 draw, leading to a penalty shootout to determine the winner.
In the aftermath of DR Congo's 4-3 victory on penalties, Nigeria's head coach Eric Chelle made a shocking allegation. Chelle claimed that DR Congo's players were practicing "voodoo" during the shootout, suggesting they had used supernatural means to gain an unfair advantage.
Immediately after the match, Chelle confronted several members of DR Congo's coaching staff, including head coach Sebastien Desabre. The altercation had to be separated by Nigeria's backroom team.
Desabre later dismissed the incident, stating it was "not an issue." However, Chelle doubled down on his claims in the post-match press conference, accusing DR Congo's players of engaging in "maraboutage," a term referring to North African witch doctor practices.
The victory means DR Congo has now qualified for the six-team inter-confederation play-offs in March 2026, where they will compete for a spot at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Nigeria, on the other hand, has been eliminated from the qualification process.
The controversial allegations have added an extra layer of drama to an already tense and high-stakes match, raising questions about the integrity of the game and the conduct of the players involved.
