Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle could face a fine and possibly a touchline or stadium ban after alleging that DR Congo used ‘voodoo’ during the tense World Cup playoff shootout, according to veteran journalist Osasu Obayiuwana, Footynaija.com reports.
The allegation came after a tense match in Rabat that finished 1–1 after 120 minutes and was decided by penalties. Nigeria took an early lead when Frank Onyeka scored in the third minute, but DR Congo fought back with a goal from Meschak Elia to level the game before extra time.
The match went to a shootout where three Nigerian players missed their chances. The winning penalty was scored by Chancel Mbemba after their substitute goalkeeper saved multiple shots. The loss ended Nigeria’s World Cup hopes and left the coach visibly upset.
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Chelle publicly accused a member of the DR Congo delegation of making ritual-like gestures during the penalty shootout, saying he saw the person “waving his hand as if sprinkling or shaking something” and that it happened “every time, every time, every time.”
The 48-year-old also said he believed something was being poured, though he admitted he wasn’t sure if it was water or something else. The conversation that has amplified the situation came from journalist Osasu Obayiuwana, who wrote on X:
“After @FIFAcom look at this, I fear that Eric Chelle, the @NGSuperEagles head coach, will be severely punished for this act of madness – a heavy fine and/or a touchline or stadium ban. This could see him missing two-thirds of #Nigeria’s #AFCON group games.”
Chelle was blunt in his post-match comments. He told reporters he was angry, copied the hand motion he said he saw, and questioned why it wasn’t stopped during the game. He insisted the gesture unsettled his players during the shootout.
