Former DR Congo coach Florent Ibenge has dismissed claims by Eric Chelle that the Leopards used voodoo against Nigeria during their World Cup qualifying playoff in Morocco.
After Nigeria’s 4-3 penalty shootout loss to DR Congo in November, Chelle alleged that a member of Congo’s technical staff performed voodoo rituals before the shootout. Ibenge, speaking to ESPN, called the accusation “nonsense,” adding:
“I don’t believe in voodoo for a second. I know the person accused very well. In seven years of Congolese football, I never saw any cause-and-effect relationship. It’s folklore, legends, and rumors—part of our oral tradition.” 
The defeat means the Super Eagles will miss the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the USA, Mexico, and Canada. Nigeria has since announced its provisional squad for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, where they’ll face Tunisia, Uganda, and Tanzania in Group C.
Meanwhile, team captain William Troost-Ekong has announced his retirement from international football.