Chelle Claims ‘Juju’ Disrupted Super Eagles In DR Congo Playoff Loss

By FRED LONGJOHN OBEH

NIGERIA’S Super Eagles coach, Éric Chelle, has suggested that a ritualistic act, or “juju,” performed by a DR Congo technical staffer affected his team during Sunday’s World Cup playoff final.

Chelle told reporters that the DR Congo staff member appeared to perform repeated ritual gestures, involving water or similar objects, each time a Nigerian player stepped up for a penalty. “During the penalty session, the guy from DR Congo did some voodoo,” Chelle said.

The match ended 1-1 after 120 minutes, with DR Congo winning 4-3 on penalties, crushing Nigeria’s hopes of reaching the 2026 FIFA World Cup. This marks the first time the three-time African champions have missed back-to-back World Cups since their debut in 1994.