By Ayobami Okerinde
Tremendous Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has accused the Democratic Republic of Congo of utilizing “voodoo” through the penalty shoot-out of Sunday’s World Cup qualifying playoff last in Morocco.
Chelle made the allegation whereas addressing reporters after the match, saying his frustrations have been directed at some members of DR Congo’s backroom workers through the tense shoot-out.
Nigeria took an early lead within the third minute via a deflected strike from Frank Onyeka, earlier than Meschak Elia drew DR Congo degree later within the first half. With no additional targets in regulation time or additional time, the match ended 1–1 after 120 minutes.
The Congolese aspect finally received on penalties to progress to the ultimate stage of the qualifying play-offs.
The drama continued after Chancel Mbemba transformed the successful penalty. Chelle stormed in the direction of the DR Congo technical space and confronted a number of workers members, together with head coach Sébastien Desabre, earlier than being restrained by Nigeria’s officers.
Desabre, who spoke first on the post-match press convention, downplayed the incident, describing it as “not a problem.”
Chelle, nevertheless, insisted in any other case. He claimed that members of the Congolese bench resorted to “voodoo” rituals throughout each penalty kick and stated he noticed somebody of their technical space utilizing “one thing water” in an try to jinx Nigerian gamers.
“Throughout all of the penalty periods, the man from Congo did some voodoo,” Chelle stated.
“Each time, so this is the reason I used to be a bit of nervous after him.”
When requested what he noticed the Congo man doing, Chelle added, “Yeah, one thing like, I don’t know if it’s water or one thing like that [he was spraying it up].”
The defeat provides to Nigeria’s current World Cup woes. The Tremendous Eagles additionally didn’t qualify for the 2022 match, marking the primary time they’ve missed two consecutive editions since making their debut in 1994.
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