Super Eagles Eric Chelle was not happy during the penalty shoot-out against DR Congo as he alleged that they had a Voodoo man on their technical bench that made him very nervous, Softfootball understands.
Nigeria crashed out after losing the match 4-3 via penalties after they’ve played 1-1 during 120 minutes. In the final of the African play-off. The result meant that Nigeria will not be at the 2026 FIFA World Cup to be held at the United States, Mexico and Canada.
A fan by the name @MickyJnr__, who was in the stadium during the match captured the moment Eric Chelle tried to approach the alleged Voodoo man and he was stopped twice as a major chao was averted. Watch the below the fan shared below via his official X handle.
🔥 OFF CAMERA DRAMA!! 🔥
Nigeria’s coach, Éric Sékou Chelle, was captured trying to fight just before the last penalty kick of the game! 😳
He was reportedly picking up a water bottle, seemingly aiming at a member of the DR Congo technical team.
The match commissioner will… pic.twitter.com/q4SRKbRa9a
— Micky Jnr (@MickyJnr__) November 16, 2025During Eric Chelle’s interview with the media shared on ESPN’s official X handle after the highly tensed encounter, he was asked why he reacted that way just before the final penalty was taken and he responded, detailing what happened. He said:
During all the penalties, the guy from DR Congo did some voodoo everytime. This is why I was a little nervous after him. He was holding something, I don’t know if its water.
Here is the video of Eric Chelle talking about the voodoo incidents to reporters after the match. Watch here.
“During all the penalties, the guy from DR Congo did some voodoo.”
Nigeria head coach Éric Chelle explains why tempers flared between him and the DR Congo staff at the end of the World Cup playoff final. pic.twitter.com/nMyTIcqlTT
— ESPN Africa (@ESPNAfrica) November 17, 2025Before the DR Congo match, Eric Chelle was the first Super Eagles Manager to lead the Nigerian National Team to 10 match unbeaten start in his first ten matches since the late Christian Chukwu in February 2004.
Victory Osimhen scored a brace as Nigerian defeated Gabon 4-1 in the semi-final of the play-off and the Super Eagles were favourite win the final against DR Congo, being 19 places above the Central African country on the FIFA ranking but an injury to the Galatasaray forward weakened Nigeria in attack.
DR Congo will try qualify for the 2026 World Cup when they compete in the intercontinental qualifier which will be held next March in Mexico.
