World Cup Hopes Shattered in Dramatic Shootout
Nigeria's dreams of reaching the 2026 World Cup were brutally extinguished on Sunday after a devastating penalty shootout defeat against the Democratic Republic of Congo. The tense CAF play-off final concluded 4-3 on penalties following a 1-1 draw, sending DR Congo to the intercontinental play-offs and leaving Nigerian football in despair.
Voodoo Allegations Overshadow Sporting Contest
The match's aftermath was dominated by extraordinary allegations from Nigeria's head coach, Eric Chelle, who claimed DR Congo's players resorted to "voodoo" during the decisive penalty shootout. This accusation sparked an immediate and heated confrontation between the opposing coaching staff, adding a layer of controversy to the sporting heartbreak. The incident occurred after Nigerian players Calvin Bassey, Moses Simon, and Semi Ajayi all failed to convert their spot-kicks, with DR Congo captain Chancel Mbemba sealing their fate by scoring the winning penalty.
Historic Consequences for Both Nations
The result carries profound significance for both African football nations. For Nigeria, it marks a second consecutive failure to qualify for the World Cup finals, having also missed out on automatic qualification from their group. For the Democratic Republic of Congo, the victory keeps alive their quest to return to the global stage for the first time since 1974, when they competed under the name Zaire. They will now advance to the World Cup intercontinental play-offs scheduled for March.
The dramatic events of Sunday 17 November 2025 will undoubtedly be analysed for years to come, not only for the footballing outcome but for the extraordinary supernatural claims that followed.
