Nigeria’s National Men’s Football Team head coach Eric Chelle has alleged that a member from the Democratic Republic of Congo Football Team used some form of black magic that aided the Leopards win over Nigeria.
DR Congo beat Nigeria on penalties after the CAF 2026 FIFA World Cup Playoff Final ended 1-1 after regulation time and extra time. Congo captain Chancel Mbemba scored the winning penalty kick to put the Congolese through to the Intercontinental playoff tournament.
Speaking to the press after the loss that eliminated Nigeria from contending for a spot in next year’s World Cup, Nigeria captain William Troost-Ekong said the players were “devastated”. (Click highlighted text to read full story)
On his part, Chelle said he was engaged in a physical tussle on the sidelines during the penalty shootout because he suspected a technical member of the Congolese team was using voodoo to gain an edge.
“During the penalty session, a guy from Congo did some voodoo every time, every time…so this is why I was a little nervous after him” Chelle said.
Scroll down to watch interview and Eric Chelle confronting DR Congo Technical Team
🔥 OFF CAMERA DRAMA!! 🔥
Nigeria’s coach, Éric Sékou Chelle, was captured trying to fight just before the last penalty kick of the game! 😳
He was reportedly picking up a water bottle, seemingly aiming at a member of the DR Congo technical team.
The match commissioner will… pic.twitter.com/q4SRKbRa9a
— Micky Jnr (@MickyJnr__) November 16, 2025
“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
