After being eliminated from World Cup qualification
©IMAGO
After missing qualification for the 2026 World Cup, Nigeria’s national coach Éric Chelle accused the opposing team from the Democratic Republic of Congo of voodoo practices. “During all the penalties, one of the guys from Congo did voodoo. Every time. That’s why I was a little nervous about him,” said Chelle, imitating a gesture with his arm that he saw in a video published on the “X” platform.
The big favorites Nigeria surprisingly lost the African playoff final on the way to the World Cup 3:4 on penalties against the Congolese on Sunday evening. The Super Eagles, led by their stars Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman, missed out on taking part in the tournament in the USA, Canada and Mexico next year. DR Congo, on the other hand, qualified for the intercontinental World Cup playoffs and can still dream of taking part.