The coach of the Nigerian national team, Eric Chelle, accused a member of the DR Congo staff of using a form of black magic during the match, which allegedly helped the Leopards defeat Nigeria.
The DR Congo won in the penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw at the end of regulation time and extra time. Congolese captain Chancel Mbemba scored the decisive penalty, qualifying his team for the intercontinental playoffs for the 2026 World Cup.
After the elimination, Nigerian captain William Troost-Ekong admitted that the players were “devastated.”
“A guy from Congo was doing voodoo every time”
Chelle, for his part, explained that he had an argument with a Congolese staff member during the penalty shootout because he suspected him of practicing voodoo to influence the outcome.
“During the penalties, a guy from Congo was doing voodoo every time… that’s why I was a bit tense with him,” Chelle stated.
🔥 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
