DR Congo coach Florent Ibenge and former players dismiss Nigeria voodoo claims after penalty defeat in 2026 World Cup African play-off.
Former DR Congo head coach Florent Ibenge described allegations by Nigeria that the Leopards used “voodoo” to influence last month’s 2026 World Cup African play-off final as “complete nonsense”.
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The comments came after Nigeria lost 4-3 on penalties to DR Congo in Morocco.
In the wake of the defeat, Nigeria’s coach Eric Chelle accused an unnamed DR Congo official of unsporting conduct during the shootout.
Footage appeared to show a member of DRC’s technical staff gesturing toward the goal, prompting the voodoo allegations.
Ibenge, based in Tanzania, firmly denied any such practices within Congolese football.
“As for voodoo, I don’t believe in it for a second,” he told ESPN.
“I spent seven years in Congolese football and never once did I see a cause-and-effect relationship. It’s complete nonsense — more folklore than anything else. We’re just perpetuating legends and rumours.”
Former Super Eagles striker Yakubu Aiyegbeni also criticised Chelle’s remarks.
“If it were down to voodoo, I think an African country would have won the World Cup a long time ago,” he said.
“He should have congratulated DR Congo rather than bringing shame to Nigeria. We lost on penalties; the pressure was too much for the players to handle.”
The Leopards are now set to face the winner of Jamaica versus New Caledonia in Zapopan on 31 March 2026, with the victor claiming one of two remaining inter-confederation play-off spots.
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Nigeria will miss two consecutive World Cups for the first time since 1990, having also failed to qualify for Qatar 2022.
