‘DR Congo did some voodoo’ — Super Eagles boss Chelle blames Nigeria’s WCQ exit on black magic

Nigeria’s journey to the 2026 FIFA World Cup came to a painful end in Rabat, where the Super Eagles fell to DR Congo in a tense, exhausting playoff final decided by penalties.

After the heartbreak of the 4-3 shootout defeat, head coach Éric Sékou Chelle sparked major controversy with explosive accusations about DR Congo’s conduct during the decisive moments.

The match itself delivered all the drama expected from a World Cup playoff final. Nigeria struck early through Frank Onyeka’s deflected effort, but Meschak Elia cancelled it out to force extra time.

After 120 gruelling minutes, neither side could find a winner, sending the contest into a high-pressure penalty shootout where tension gripped both teams.

Stanley Nwabali kept Nigeria alive with two brilliant saves, but Semi Ajayi’s sudden-death miss opened the door for Chancel Mbemba to deliver the final blow for DR Congo.

As Mbemba converted the winning penalty, emotions spilled over on the Nigerian bench. Chelle was caught on camera angrily confronting DR Congo’s staff, even appearing ready to throw a water bottle before being restrained by his own assistants.

While Congolese coach Sébastien Desabre dismissed the confrontation as “not an issue,” Chelle clearly felt otherwise, and what he revealed afterwards stunned reporters.

During his post-match media duties, Chelle accused DR Congo’s players of engaging in “maraboutage”, a term associated with spiritual manipulation and, in this context, black magic, during the penalty shootout.

Speaking first in French, the 48-year-old insisted, “DR Congo guys were doing maraboutage.” Moments later, he repeated the allegation in English as he walked through the mixed zone, declaring, “During all of the penalties, the players of Congo were doing some voodoo… this is why I was nervous with him.”

The claims immediately ignited debate, prompting a firm denial from a DR Congo representative when contacted by The Athletic.

The accusation also surfaced just hours after CAF confirmed that the match commissioner’s report will include the touchline altercation involving Chelle, meaning the Nigerian boss could face sanctions regardless of his explanations.