Nigeria’s Éric Chelle says his frustration was directed at a DR Congo staff member performing gestures during the tense penalty shootout.
In a stunning post-match revelation, Nigeria head coach Éric Chelle has blamed a “voodoo” ritual performed by a DR Congo staff member for the heated confrontation that marred the end of their World Cup playoff final.
The explanation came after a reporter asked Chelle about his visible frustration with the opposing team’s staff following DR Congo’s victory on penalties.
“During all the penalties, the guy from DR Congo did some voodoo,” Chelle stated bluntly, describing the moments that led to the sideline clash. The Mali-born coach elaborated that throughout the decisive shootout, a member of the Congolese technical team repeatedly performed gestures, possibly involving water or another substance, in an apparent attempt to unsettle the Nigerian players.
Chelle admitted the prolonged ritual got under his skin, making him nervous and ultimately leading to the angry exchange at the final whistle. The incident highlights the immense pressure and superstitious beliefs that can surface in high-stakes matches, where a place at the World Cup is on the line.
While DR Congo celebrated their hard-fought victory and a step closer to the World Cup, Chelle’s comments shed a very different light on the dramatic conclusion, pointing to an unseen psychological battle that played out from the sidelines.
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