Our reporter
Nigeria’s Africa Cup of Nations campaign took a dramatic twist last night after Super Eagles head coach, Eric Chelle, alleged that DR Congo used voodoo during the tense penalty shoot-out that sealed Nigeria’s elimination.
Chelle, visibly shaken after the match, claimed that Congolese players “repeatedly sprinkled a substance resembling water” on the pitch moments before each kick, a ritual he said left him “very nervous” and raised concerns about gamesmanship in high-stakes international football.
The surprising accusation comes after a gruelling contest that ended level after extra time, forcing a shoot-out in which DR Congo edged the Super Eagles to reach the next round. While there is no evidence that the act influenced the outcome, Chelle’s comments have thrown the post-match narrative into a storm of intrigue, superstition, and competitive tension.
Speaking to reporters, the Nigerian head coach insisted the ritualistic behaviour was deliberate and unsettling. “I saw them doing it repeatedly. It made me very uncomfortable,” he said. “This is football, we expect fairness and focus, not distractions.”
DR Congo officials have yet to respond publicly to the allegation. The incident adds a new layer of drama to a rivalry already marked by passion, pressure, and high expectations from millions of fans. With Nigeria now out of the competition, attention shifts to whether continental football authorities will review Chelle’s claims or dismiss them as heat-of-the-moment frustration after a painful defeat.
