Former DR Congo coach, Florent Ibenge, has dismissed claims by Super Eagles manager Eric Chelle that a Congolese technical staff member used voodoo during Nigeria’s World Cup playoff defeat in November. Nigeria missed out on the 2026 World Cup after a tense 1-1 draw and a 4-3 penalty loss to DR Congo.
Chelle, reacting to the shock exit, suggested a Congolese official performed rituals during Nigeria’s penalty kicks. Speaking to ESPN, Ibenge described the allegation as baseless, saying he knows the accused staff member personally and has never witnessed such practices in his seven years in Congolese football. He labelled the claim “folklore and unfounded rumours.”
With qualification hopes gone, Nigeria now shifts focus to the 2025 AFCON in Morocco, where they sit in Group C alongside Tunisia, Uganda and Tanzania. Chelle has already released a 54-man provisional squad as preparations begin.
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