Nigeria’s football coach has accused the Democratic Republic of Congo of practising “voodoo” after the Super Eagles’ hopes of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup ended in a penalty shoot-out defeat.

Nigeria and DR Congo drew 1-1 after extra time in the African play-offs final in Rabat on Sunday. DR Congo went on to win 4-3 on penalties, securing a place in the inter-confederation play-offs scheduled for Mexico in March.

Speaking after the match, Coach Eric Chelle claimed that a member of the Congolese delegation had repeatedly performed an act he described as “voodoo”.

“That is why I was a bit nervous,” said Mr. Chelle, a former Mali international who has recorded four wins and two draws in competitive fixtures since taking charge of the Super Eagles.

He said he saw a DR Congo official waving his hand “as if sprinkling or shaking something”, adding, “I don’t know if it’s water or something like that.”

The tense shoot-out saw four spot-kicks saved and one missed. DR Congo captain Chancel Mbemba converted the decisive penalty despite torrential rain and a bottle thrown in his direction, as the Congolese sought a return to the World Cup for the first time since 1974, when the country competed as Zaire.

Nigeria, ranked 19 places above DR Congo, had been widely considered favourites. The defeat means the Super Eagles have failed to qualify for a second consecutive World Cup — the first time this has happened since their debut in 1994.