Former DR Congo manager, Florent Ibenge, has rubbished the suggestion made by Nigeria’s head coach, Eric Chelle, that the Congolese relied on voodoo practices during their World Cup qualifying playoff clash in Morocco.
Chelle made the claim shortly after the Super Eagles were eliminated 4-3 on penalties by DR Congo, alleging that a member of the Leopards’ technical crew performed a “voodoo ritual” before the decisive shootout. The defeat ultimately cost Nigeria a place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the USA, Mexico, and Canada.
Speaking to journalists, Ibenge described Chelle’s accusation as baseless and misleading, insisting that such practices played no role in DR Congo’s victory.
“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.”
The Super Eagles have since turned attention to the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, where they have been drawn in Group C alongside Tunisia, Uganda, and Tanzania.
Meanwhile, preparations for the continental tournament have been overshadowed by the surprise retirement of team captain William Troost-Ekong. The defender stepped away from international duty on Thursday despite being listed in Chelle’s 52-man provisional AFCON squad.
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