Super Eagles' World Cup Dream Ends in Penalty Heartbreak and Voodoo Claims
Nigeria's hopes of returning to the World Cup for the first time since 2018 were dramatically extinguished in Rabat on Sunday, as DR Congo won a tense penalty shootout 4-3 following a 1-1 draw after extra time. In a stunning post-match reaction, Nigeria's manager, Éric Chelle, claimed his team had been defeated by 'voodoo' rather than footballing prowess.
A Fraught Battle and Accusations of 'Maraboutage'
The match, a continental playoff final for a spot in the 2026 World Cup inter-confederation playoffs, was high-stakes from the outset. Nigeria, ranked 19 places above their opponents, started brightly with Frank Onyeka scoring a deflected goal in the third minute. However, their advantage was short-lived as Meschack Elia capitalised on a Wilfred Ndidi error to level the scores.
The Super Eagles' attack suffered a significant blow when star striker Victor Osimhen was substituted at half-time due to a recurring hamstring issue. DR Congo grew in confidence, dominating possession and seeing two efforts from Fiston Mayele disallowed during a frantic period of extra time. Nigeria goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali made a crucial save to deny Chancel Mbemba right before the penalty shootout commenced in driving rain.
The shootout began disastrously for Nigeria, with Calvin Bassey and Moses Simon missing their first two penalties. Though they were handed a lifeline by a Nwabali save, substitute goalkeeper Timothy Fayulu saved Semi Ajayi's sudden-death spot-kick, setting the stage for Mbemba to score the decisive penalty and spark wild DR Congo celebrations.
Manager's Explosive 'Voodoo' Allegations
The drama continued after the final whistle. A visibly agitated Éric Chelle confronted the DR Congo coaching staff, including manager Sébastien Desabre, and had to be restrained by his own team. In his post-match comments, Chelle did not hold back, accusing DR Congo of 'doing maraboutage' – a West African term for witchcraft.
'During the penalty shootout, the guy [from] Congo did some voodoo. Every time, every time, every time,' Chelle stated in the mixed zone. He mimicked the gestures he claimed to have witnessed, describing a member of the opposition staff waving a hand as if sprinkling a liquid.
In contrast, Nigeria captain William Troost-Ekong struck a more conciliatory tone, expressing devastation but pride in his team's effort over the qualifying campaign. Desabre, for his part, called the altercation 'not an issue' and praised his team's spirit after going a goal down early.
Historic Consequences for Both Nations
The result carries significant weight for both African football giants. For Nigeria, this marks the first time since 1990 they will miss consecutive World Cups, a devastating blow for a nation that lit up the 1994 tournament in the USA. Their qualifying campaign had been disjointed, requiring them to sneak into the playoffs on goal difference.
For DR Congo, the victory keeps a distant dream alive. Having only previously qualified for the World Cup in 1974 as Zaire, they now advance to the inter-confederation playoffs in Mexico next March. They will join a six-team tournament featuring nations like Bolivia and New Caledonia, with the final draw scheduled for Thursday.
The match, filled with on-field tension and extraordinary off-field accusations, will be remembered as one of the most dramatic qualifiers in recent memory, ending Nigeria's North American ambitions and propelling DR Congo one step closer to a rare World Cup appearance.
