DR Congo Used ‘Voodoo’ in Penalty Shootout to Beat Nigeria, Says Eric Chelle

• Nigeria head coach Eric Chelle sparked controversy after alleging that DR Congo players engaged in “voodoo” practices during the penalty shootout that sealed the Super Eagles’ elimination from the 2026 World Cup play-offs.

Nigeria’s head coach Eric Chelle has stirred major controversy after claiming that DR Congo players were practicing “voodoo” during their penalty shootout victory on Sunday.

DR Congo defeated Nigeria 4-3 on penalties after a tense 1-1 draw in the CAF World Cup play-off final, advancing to March’s six-team inter-confederation play-offs and ending the Super Eagles’ qualification bid.

Nigeria had taken an early lead through Frank Onyeka, whose deflected effort found the net after just three minutes. But Meschak Elia equalised before halftime, and with neither side able to score again through extra time, the match was decided from the spot.

When DR Congo captain Chancel Mbemba scored the decisive penalty, tensions flared. Chelle confronted several members of DR Congo’s technical team — including head coach Sebastien Desabre — and had to be restrained by Nigeria’s backroom staff.

Desabre later downplayed the clash, calling it “not an issue” during his post-match press conference.

But Chelle, appearing afterwards, expressed frustration that reporters had not asked him about the altercation. Speaking in French, he alleged:
“DR Congo guys were doing maraboutage.”
(The word marabout refers to a Muslim holy man but is often associated with North African spiritual or mystical practices.)

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Minutes later, Chelle doubled down in English while walking through the media mixed zone, saying:
“During all of the penalties, the players of Congo were doing some voodoo.”

A representative of DR Congo strongly denied the claims when contacted by The Athletic.

How the Inter-Confederation Play-Offs Work

The inter-confederation play-offs will take place in March in North America, with dates and venues yet to be confirmed.

Three teams have already qualified:

• DR Congo
• New Caledonia (OFC runners-up behind New Zealand)
• Bolivia (7th in CONMEBOL qualifying)

In Asia, UAE and Iraq are battling over two legs, with the first ending 1-1.

As host confederation, CONCACAF will have two representatives — currently Curacao and Costa Rica.

Once all six teams are decided:

• The two highest FIFA-ranked teams will be seeded and advance directly to the final of each pathway.
• Four unseeded teams will play single-leg semifinals.
• The two winners of the finals will become the 47th and 48th teams at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.