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Historically speaking, Nigeria has one of the strongest national soccer teams in all of Africa. The Super Eagles have qualified for the FIFA World Cup six times, trailing only Cameroon, Morocco, and Tunisia.
However, after three consecutive appearances from 2010-2018, Nigeria missed out in 2022, and now, even despite the World Cup expanding from 32 to 48 teams, the Super Eagles will again miss out in 2026.
Nigera was eliminated by the Democratic Republic of Congo in the Confederation of African Football (CAF) World Cup play-off final on Sunday. Congo defeated Nigeria, 4-3 on penalty kicks after a 1-1 draw through regulation and extra time.
After the match, however, Nigeria manager Eric Chelle accused Congo coaches of resorting to dirty tactics to try and win.
Nigeria Soccer Manager Eric Chelle Says DR Congo Used Voodoo During Penalty Kicks
During the penalty shootout, Chelle was seen picking up a water bottle and angrily walking over toward the DR Congo bench, yelling at the opposing coaches.
Then, when Congo’s Chancel Mbemba scored the winning penalty, Chelle ran toward the members of the Congo staff, including head coach Sebastien Desabre, and had to be separated by security and Congo staff members.
Eric Chelle couldn’t contain his anger after he saw someone from the DR Congo Team using dark magic (voodoo) in the shoot outs pic.twitter.com/eC2v9D9Kre
— Mr. Nigerian Football (@AJSilverCFC) November 17, 2025
So, what exactly did the DR Congo coaches do that made Chelle so incensed? According to the former Mali player, who was born in the Ivory Coast and also holds French nationality, they were practicing voodoo against the Nigerian players during the penalty shootout.
“During all the penalties, the guy from DR Congo did some voodoo.”
Nigeria head coach Éric Chelle explains why tempers flared between him and the DR Congo staff at the end of the World Cup playoff final. pic.twitter.com/nMyTIcqlTT
— ESPN Africa (@ESPNAfrica) November 17, 2025
“During all of the penalties, the players of Congo were doing some voodoo,” Chelle told members of the media.
Previously, during his post-match press conference, Chelle stated that the “DR Congo guys were doing maraboutage”
A marabout is a Muslim religious leader and teacher, with roots in North Africa, and supposedly has the power to place curses. A spokesperson for the DR Congo denied the allegations, according to a report by The Athletic.
The Congo now advances to the six-team international playoff, from which two teams will advance to the World Cup. DR Congo, New Caledonia, and Bolivia have already claimed three of the six playoff spots.