### Nigeria's World Cup Dreams Dashed Amidst Voodoo Allegations Nigeria's hopes of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup were dramatically extinguished following a penalty shootout loss to DR Congo. The match, which ended in a 1-1 draw after extra time, saw Nigeria's coach Éric Chelle alleging that a member of the Congolese staff engaged in "voodoo" practices during the shootout, which he claims influenced the outcome. This incident has sparked controversy and discussions about the intersection of sports and cultural beliefs in African football. ### Breakdown of the Incident and Allegations 1. **Match Overview**: - Nigeria faced DR Congo in a crucial World Cup qualifying playoff, which ended in a 1-1 draw after 120 minutes. - The match proceeded to penalties, where DR Congo triumphed 4-3, with their substitute goalkeeper making two crucial saves [https://apnews.com/article/world-cup-qualifying-nigeria-congo-voodoo-a3e974285b6f1917d56db47b99ffeb91]. 2. **Chelle's Claims**: - Coach Éric Chelle accused the Congolese staff of using voodoo during the penalty shootout, stating, "the guy of Congo did some voodoo" at every kick [https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/nigeria-dr-congo-voodoo-penalty-shoot-out-defeat-b2866438.html]. - His agitation was captured on film as he confronted the opposing coaching staff during the shootout [https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/nigeria-world-cup-chelle-voodoo-36258515]. 3. **Cultural Context**: - The allegations of voodoo or "black magic" in sports are not uncommon in African football, where cultural beliefs can sometimes intertwine with competitive events [https://surgezirc.co.za/sports/nigeria-coach-eric-chelle-claims-dr]. 4. **Consequences for Nigeria**: - With this loss, Nigeria's journey to the World Cup has come to an end, and they will not participate in the tournament scheduled for 2026 [https://www.graphic.com.gh/sports/sports-news/how-nigerias-2026-world-cup-hopes-were-ended-by-dr-congo-on-penalties-amid-voodoo-allegations.html]. ### Supporting Evidence and Reactions - **Penalty Shootout Statistics**: - Nigeria scored 3 out of 5 penalties, while DR Congo converted 4 out of 5, highlighting the decisive moments that led to Nigeria's elimination [https://www.tori.ng/news/315773/super-eagles-coach-chelle-accuses-dr-congo-of-usin.html]. - **Public and Media Reaction**: - The incident has drawn significant media attention, with various outlets covering Chelle's claims and the implications of such allegations in the realm of sports [https://uk-times.com/world-cup-voodoo-row-furious-nigeria-accuse-dr-congo-of-using-magic-to-make-them-lose-penalty-shoot-out-and-end-their-qualifying-hopes-after-managers-water-antics]. ### Conclusion: A Controversial End to Nigeria's World Cup Aspirations In summary, Nigeria's exit from the World Cup qualifying rounds has been marred by allegations of voodoo practices by the DR Congo coaching staff. This incident not only highlights the emotional stakes involved in international football but also raises questions about the influence of cultural beliefs in sports. The following points summarize the key takeaways: 1. **Nigeria's Loss**: The Super Eagles were eliminated from World Cup contention after a penalty shootout defeat to DR Congo. 2. **Chelle's Allegations**: Coach Éric Chelle accused the Congolese staff of using voodoo, reflecting a cultural narrative in African sports. 3. **Impact on Future**: Nigeria will not participate in the 2026 World Cup, marking a significant setback for the team and its supporters. The intersection of sports and cultural beliefs continues to provoke discussion, as seen in this dramatic playoff encounter [https://naijaonpoint.com.ng/a-guy-of-congo-did-some-voodoo-eric-chelle-after-playoff-defeat-to-leopards].