By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Nigeria coach Eric Chelle has accused rivals on DR Congo’s coaching staff of “doing voodoo” during a fiery penalty shootout that ended the Super Eagles’ hopes of reaching the 2026 World Cup.
DR Congo extended their bid to reach the World Cup by upsetting Nigeria 4-3 on penalties following a tense 1-1 draw after extra time in the African play-off final.
Leopards captain Chancel Mbemba netted the crucial spot-kick after substitute goalkeeper Timothy Fayulu – brought on especially – had saved from Super Eagles defender Semi Ajayi in the sixth round of the shootout.
Victory sees the Central Africans progress to a final intercontinental qualifier which will be held next March.
Nigeria, meanwhile, will be missing from a second successive edition of the World Cup after a poor performance in neutral Rabat.
In his post-match remarks to journalists, Chelle said a member of the DR Congo team “did some voodoo, every time, every time, every time”.
“That is why I was a bit nervous,” said former Mali international Chelle, who boasts four wins and two draws in competitive matches since taking charge of the Super Eagles.
Chelle had admitted prior to the match that it was going to “be very difficult in Morocco”.
Using hand gestures, he said he saw a DR Congo member waving his hand as if sprinkling or shaking something. “I don’t know if it’s water or something like that.”
DR Congo held their nerve in a compelling shootout to join Bolivia and New Caledonia at the six-team inter-confederation tournament which will provide the final two qualifiers for next year’s World Cup.
The winner of the second leg of the Asian play-off between Iraq and the United Arab Emirates and the best two third-ranked finishers from the third round of Concacaf qualifying will complete the field.
Based on their world ranking of 60th the Leopards could face two more games in their quest to reach the finals – and they will discover their fate when the draw is made on Thursday.