Dare Babalola
Nigeria’s head coach, Éric Chelle, has claimed that a member of the DR Congo team engaged in “dark magic” during the penalty shootout of the World Cup playoff final.
Drama ensued during the penalty shootouts as Chelle had to be held back as he confronted the DRC technical bench.
“During the penalties, the guy from Congo did some voodoo every time. That’s why I was a little bit nervous about him. He was doing something with water,” Chelle said while speaking to newsmen in a viral video.
Frank Onyeka scored inside two minutes to give Nigeria an early lead, but DR Congo came back through Meschack Elia in the 32nd minute.
The game eventually spilled over to penalties to decide who would represent Africa in the inter-confederation play-offs next year.
It was during the penalties that drama started and threatened to turn into chaos on the touchline. Nigeria’s coach, Eric Chelle, was visibly frustrated by a member of the DR Congo technical bench. The Malian had to be held back, including by his opposite number, Sebastian Desabre, as he squared up to the member.
The confrontation reached a boiling point after DR Congo triumphed to send Nigeria packing. The Leopards had made a change just before the shoot-out, replacing their goalkeeper, Lionel Mpasi-Nzau, with Timothy Fayulu.
The decision worked like a charm as Fayulu saved two penalties, including the decisive one from Semi Ajayi, to set up Chancel Mbemba to score the winner.
