😳 Voodoo in Copa do Brasil? Nigeria coach makes accusation after defeat | OneFootball

The Sunday clash between Nigeria and the Democratic Republic of the Congo for a World Cup playoff spot was far from boring.

Goals, controversial refereeing decisions... and a penalty shootout that had an extra element: voodoo. At least that's what Nigeria claims.

The traditional Nigerian team missed out on the World Cup after losing 4-3 on penalties to the Congolese team. The game ended 1-1 after extra time.

During the penalty shootout, a member of the D.R. Congo's coaching staff allegedly performed movements characteristic of a voodoo ritual during the kicks. This act infuriated the Nigerian coach, Éric Chelle.

The Nigerian coach himself made his suspicions public after the match. "Throughout the penalty shootout, the guy from Congo was doing voodoo. Every time, every time... That's why I was a bit nervous after that," he said visibly irritated to the press.

Just like four years ago, Nigeria is once again out of the World Cup. A missed opportunity for a generation of great names like Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman, and Samu Chukwueze, among many others.

Voodoo is an Afro-Caribbean religion that mixes African cults with indigenous or Catholic elements. In Brazil, it has influenced popular practices and dialogues with Afro cults like candomblé and umbanda. However, in some countries, it suffers distortions by being associated with negative magical rituals.

Featured photo: Instagram / Fecofa RDC

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.