Nigeria’s hopes of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup ended in heartbreak after the Super Eagles were eliminated by DR Congo in a penalty shootout, losing 4–3 after a 1–1 draw across 120 minutes at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, Morocco.

Following the match, Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle made a surprising claim, alleging that a DR Congo staff member performed “voodoo” during the penalty shootout.

In a video shared by ESPN Africa on X, Chelle explained that he became nervous after observing repeated gestures by a member of DR Congo’s technical area during a Video Assistant Referee (VAR) review for a penalty decision.

“During all the penalty decision, a guy of Congo did some voodoo… Every time, every time, every time. So this is why I was a little nervous after him,” Chelle said.

When pressed to describe what he witnessed, he gestured and added:

“Something like that. I don’t know if it’s water or something like that [he was spraying it up].”

The term “voodoo” is often used to refer to traditional spiritual or ritual practices, though it remains unclear exactly what the DR Congo staff member did.

The defeat marks the second consecutive World Cup missed by the Super Eagles, extending Nigeria’s wait for a return to football’s biggest stage.

Chelle’s comments have sparked debate online, with fans discussing whether his observation reflected superstition, frustration, or unusual tactics by the opposition staff.