Former DR Congo head coach Florent Ibenge has criticised Eric Chelle over his recent allegation that the Congolese team used voodoo against the Super Eagles during their World Cup qualifying playoff final in Morocco.
Chelle, reacting to Nigeria’s 4–3 loss on penalties, claimed that a member of the DR Congo technical crew performed voodoo rituals before the shootout. Nigeria consequently failed to secure a place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the USA, Mexico, and Canada, having been eliminated by DR Congo in November.
Ibenge, speaking to ESPN, dismissed the accusation, saying the Nigerian coach’s comments were unfounded. “As for voodoo, I don’t believe in it for a second,” he said. “Especially as I know the person who’s been accused of this very well.
“I spent seven years in Congolese football, and never once did I see a cause-and-effect relationship.
“It’s complete nonsense, it’s more folklore than anything else, and we’re just perpetuating legends, rumours etc. It is the legacy of our oral tradition that continues.”
Nigeria recently released its provisional squad for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, where the team will face Tunisia, Uganda, and Tanzania in Group C. Meanwhile, team captain William Troost-Ekong announced his retirement from international football on Thursday.
