{"id":24506,"date":"2025-11-17T13:45:00","date_gmt":"2025-11-17T12:45:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.funminews.com\/?p=24506"},"modified":"2025-11-17T13:45:29","modified_gmt":"2025-11-17T12:45:29","slug":"videonigeria-coach-eric-sekou-chelle-blames-voodoo-after-dr-congo-playoff-defeat","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.funminews.com\/index.php\/2025\/11\/17\/videonigeria-coach-eric-sekou-chelle-blames-voodoo-after-dr-congo-playoff-defeat\/","title":{"rendered":"[VIDEO]Nigeria coach \u00c9ric S\u00e9kou Chelle blames \u201cvoodoo\u201d after DR Congo playoff defeat."},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"\">RABAT, Morocco (FN) \u2014 Nigeria\u2019s hopes of returning to the FIFA World Cup 2026 ended in heartbreak Sunday night, and by Monday morning the fallout took a dramatic turn. Super Eagles coach \u00c9ric S\u00e9kou Chelle alleged that DR Congo used \u201cvoodoo\u201d during the penalty shootout, a claim that has sparked debate across Africa and beyond.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">Nigeria took an early lead through Frank Onyeka in the third minute, but DR Congo equalized via Meschack Elia before winning 4\u20133 on penalties in the CAF playoff final. The defeat means Nigeria will miss a second consecutive World Cup, while DR Congo advances to the intercontinental playoffs in March 2026, seeking their first appearance since 1974.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">Chelle\u2019s post\u2011match comments added a cultural layer to the loss. \u201cIt was not just football last night,\u201d he said. \u201cThey used voodoo in the penalties.\u201d His remarks followed a tense finish and fed into wider discussions about superstition in football across the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-video\"><video height=\"720\" style=\"aspect-ratio: 720 \/ 720;\" width=\"720\" controls src=\"https:\/\/www.funminews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/WhatsApp-Video-2025-11-17-at-3.12.48-AM.mp4\"><\/video><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">[VIDEO]Nigeria coach \u00c9ric S\u00e9kou Chelle blames \u201cvoodoo\u201d after DR Congo playoff defeat.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">A separate flashpoint drew attention off the pitch: circulating video shows Chelle in a heated confrontation near the technical area moments after the final whistle. Staff and security intervened quickly, separating parties and preventing the argument from escalating into a physical altercation. No disciplinary action had been announced at press time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-video\"><video height=\"656\" style=\"aspect-ratio: 368 \/ 656;\" width=\"368\" controls src=\"https:\/\/www.funminews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/WhatsApp-Video-2025-11-17-at-2.56.43-AM.mp4\"><\/video><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"> Circulating video shows Chelle in a heated confrontation near the technical area moments after the final whistle.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">Accusations of \u201cjuju\u201d or \u201cjazz\u201d\u2014local terms for spiritual interference\u2014have surfaced in various African football contexts after shock results. Some supporters view them as part of the sport\u2019s cultural fabric, while others see them as post\u2011defeat rationalizations that distract from performance analysis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">Analysts point to tangible turning points. Nigeria lost momentum after star striker Victor Osimhen was forced off at halftime with injury. DR Congo controlled long spells of the second half, had two goals disallowed, and held their nerve in the shootout. Substitute goalkeeper Timothy Fayulu made a crucial save, and captain Chancel Mbemba converted the decisive kick.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">Nigerian media coverage has been mixed. Some outlets frame Chelle\u2019s frustration as understandable, while others argue the remarks detract from tactical shortcomings. Editorials stressed that rebuilding midfield control, set\u2011piece preparation, and penalty routines are more actionable than invoking spiritual explanations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">Fan reactions mirrored that split. On social platforms, some echoed Chelle\u2019s suspicions, but many criticized substitutions, game management after Osimhen\u2019s exit, and the team\u2019s penalty composure. The debate underscores the tension between cultural narratives and modern sports science.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">DR Congo\u2019s camp had not officially responded to the voodoo allegation, focusing on celebrating a landmark victory. For Congolese supporters, the win marks a step toward ending a 52\u2011year World Cup absence and validates a disciplined defensive approach under pressure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">International observers warn that the controversy risks overshadowing Nigeria\u2019s broader football priorities. \u201cSuperstition may color the story, but the performance issues are clear,\u201d said one analyst. \u201cResetting tactics, deepening squad depth, and improving late\u2011game control should be the focus.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">For Nigeria, the defeat is another reminder of missed opportunities. Once a World Cup mainstay, the Super Eagles face a longer rebuild. Whether Chelle\u2019s remarks resonate or fade, progress will depend on coaching continuity, player development, and addressing psychological preparation for high\u2011pressure moments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Timeline of Nigeria\u2019s recent qualification outcomes<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"\">2018: Qualified for Russia; exited in the group stage.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">2022: Failed to qualify for Qatar after a playoff loss to Ghana.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">2026: Eliminated by DR Congo in a playoff; miss consecutive World Cups.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>RABAT, Morocco (FN) \u2014 Nigeria\u2019s hopes of returning to the FIFA World Cup 2026 ended in heartbreak Sunday night, and by Monday morning the fallout took a dramatic turn. Super Eagles coach \u00c9ric S\u00e9kou Chelle alleged that DR Congo used \u201cvoodoo\u201d during the penalty shootout, a claim that has sparked debate across Africa and beyond. [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":12,"featured_media":24511,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"nf_dc_page":"","_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[4,3,7],"tags":[1684,1683,1682,1681,1696,1680,1694,1685,1687],"class_list":["post-24506","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-featured","category-naija-news","category-sports","tag-2026-fifa-world-cup-qualifiers","tag-caf-world-cup-playoff","tag-dr-congo-leopards","tag-eric-sekou-chelle","tag-heated-confrontation","tag-nigeria-super-eagles","tag-postmatch-controversy","tag-voodoo-in-football","tag-world-cup-heartbreak"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.funminews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Nigeria-coach-Eric-Sekou-Chelle.jpeg?fit=510%2C340&ssl=1","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.funminews.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24506","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.funminews.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.funminews.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.funminews.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/12"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.funminews.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=24506"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.funminews.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24506\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":24527,"href":"https:\/\/www.funminews.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24506\/revisions\/24527"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.funminews.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/24511"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.funminews.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=24506"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.funminews.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=24506"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.funminews.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=24506"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}