Nigeria’s World Cup journey ended dramatically on Sunday after a tense 1-1 draw with DR Congo in Rabat turned into a heartbreaking 4-3 penalty shootout loss. The defeat crushed the Super Eagles’ hopes of reaching the 2026 World Cup and sparked a heated reaction from head coach Eric Chelle, who accused a member of the opposing team of practising “voodoo” during the match.
The playoff final had already been one of the most closely watched African fixtures of the qualification cycle, with both teams fighting to secure a spot in next March’s inter-confederation play-offs in Mexico. The match produced a mix of physical play, emotional swings, and heavy rainfall that made the penalty shootout even more intense.
Why Did the Nigeria Coach Accuse DR Congo of ‘Voodoo’?
In his post-match comments, Chelle claimed he saw suspicious actions from a DR Congo staff member throughout the game. He told journalists that a team member “did some voodoo, every time, every time, every time”. Chelle added that the gestures made him uneasy, saying, “That is why I was a bit nervous.” The Nigerian coach, who remains unbeaten in regulation time since taking over with four wins and two draws, said he saw hand movements that looked like someone “sprinkling or shaking something”. He admitted he was unsure whether it was water or another substance.
His concerns followed his earlier admission that the match in Morocco was always expected to “be very difficult”. The coach’s comments added another layer of drama to a match already shaped by tension, unpredictable weather and high stakes.
How Did DR Congo Secure the Win Despite the Pressure?
The penalty shootout itself was a test of nerves. Four spot-kicks were saved and one was missed, turning the duel into a psychological battle as much as a physical one. DR Congo captain Chancel Mbemba stepped up to take the decisive penalty amid torrential rain and even ignored a bottle thrown toward him. He converted the winning kick, sealing Congo’s place in the next qualification stage and keeping their hopes alive for a World Cup return.
Nigeria had entered the match as clear favourites, sitting 19 places above DR Congo in FIFA rankings and known globally as one of Africa’s football powerhouses. But the loss now means the Super Eagles will miss a second consecutive World Cup, something that had not happened since they first qualified in 1994.
For DR Congo, the win marks a major step toward returning to the World Cup stage for the first time since 1974, when the nation competed under the name Zaire. Their victory keeps their long-awaited comeback dream alive while Nigeria is left to reassess a campaign that slipped away most dramatically.
By Yockshard Enyendi