WC Playoff:Eric Chelle Alleges DR Congo Used ‘Juju Rituals’ During Penalty Shootout
1 min read
By Sedara Philip
Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has stirred fresh controversy following Nigeria’s dramatic penalty shootout defeat to DR Congo, claiming that the Congolese players performed voodoo rituals throughout the shootout.
Speaking in a post-match interview with ESPN, Chelle said he noticed unusual actions from DR Congo players that left him uneasy as the decisive moment approached.
“During all the penalties, some of the DR Congo players were doing voodoo rituals every single time. That’s why I was so nervous,” Chelle revealed.
He added that he could not clearly identify what was being used, but the actions appeared suspicious.
“I don’t know if it was water or something else,” he said.
The dramatic claims came after Nigeria crashed out of the 2026 World Cup race, losing 4–3 on penalties after a tense 1–1 draw in Rabat.
Chelle’s comments have already sparked debate among fans and analysts, raising questions about superstition, psychological tactics in football, and the emotional toll of high-stakes matches.
Sedara Philip is a Sports writer, an administrator,Journalist,and editor
