Former Nigeria international Yakubu has criticised Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle for blaming voodoo for the team's failure to qualify for the 2026 World Cup. Chelle made the claim after Nigeria lost to DR Congo in the CAF play-off final on penalties.
Yakubu, who played 252 Premier League matches for clubs including Everton and Portsmouth, described Chelle's comments as bringing shame to Nigeria. 'If it was down to voodoo, I think an African country would have won the World Cup a long time ago,' he told SportsCasting.
DR Congo won the play-off final in Rabat, Morocco, after a 1-1 draw. Captain Chancel Mbemba converted the decisive penalty in the shoot-out, following earlier misses by Nigeria's Calvin Bassey, Moses Simon and Semi Ajayi. Frank Onyeka had given Nigeria the lead before Meschak Elia equalised.
Chelle confronted DR Congo's coaching staff after the match, justifying his actions by alleging voodoo. Yakubu said: 'He just needed to congratulate DR Congo and say well done for winning, rather than bringing shame to Nigeria. Our penalties were quite poor. The pressure was too much for the players to deal with.'
DR Congo, who last appeared in a World Cup in 1974 as Zaire, will now compete in March's inter-continental play-offs for a place in the 2026 finals.
