Nigeria’s hopes of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup have been dashed, as the team lost to Congo in a penalty shootout during the qualifying match. Instead of reflecting on his team’s performance, Nigeria’s coach Éric Chelle attributed the defeat to unconventional tactics used by the Congolese team, claiming that a staff member resorted to voodoo during the shootout.
The dramatic events unfolded as videos of the final moments of the penalty shootout went viral on social media, capturing Chelle attempting to confront a member of Congo’s staff before being restrained. “The guy from Congo did some voodoo,” Chelle stated during his post-match comments in the mixed zone. “Every time, every time, every time, so this is why I was a little nervous of him.”
In response to questions about the incident, Chelle demonstrated a gesture resembling shaking a water bottle. Despite the sensational claims, Congo emerged victorious in the playoff final, converting two penalties saved by substitute goalkeeper Timothy Fayulu, who was brought on shortly before the shootout following a 1-1 draw. Fayulu replaced the regular goalkeeper, Lionel Mpasi, and his strategic introduction proved to be pivotal for Congo, which will advance to the intercontinental playoffs in March.
Congo’s coach, Sebastien Desabre, made a crucial decision to switch goalkeepers in the game’s dying minutes, a maneuver that paid off handsomely. Fayulu saved two of Nigeria’s six penalty attempts, including decisive saves from Moses Simon and Semi Ajayi, while Chancel Mbemba secured the victory.
This loss marks the second consecutive failure for the Nigerian football team to qualify for the World Cup, despite having star strikers Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman at their peak. Osimhen was injured and substituted at halftime, and Lookman also exited the match in the second half.
Original Source: https://indianexpress.com/article/sports/football/nigeria-coach-alleges-congo-did-voodoo-fifa-world-cup-qualifying-10371427/
Category: Football,Sports
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Publish Date: 2025-11-18 01:23:00
