DRC-Nigeria: team manager sets the record straight after voodoo accusations
Dodo Landu & Éric Chelle / @Foot Africa
The final of the African World Cup 2026 playoff between Nigeria and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) was marked by a surprising incident. Nigerian coach Éric Sékou Chelle claimed that the Congolese team resorted to magic and voodoo during the penalty shootout.
The match ended 1-1 after regular time and extra time, before DRC clinched victory in the shootout (4-3) to qualify for the global playoff.
In an interview with the French site Onze Mondial, Éric Chelle explained that he witnessed an unusual gesture from a member of the Congolese staff during the decisive kick, which he interpreted as an act of voodoo.
Voici toute la scène de la prière de Dodo Landu avant le tir de Chancel Mbemba face au Nigéria confondu au Vaudou par le Coach des Aigles pic.twitter.com/o95a05bG3W
— Danny N. Yambushi (@Ngubaa_d) November 18, 2025
DRC responds to Éric Chelle’s witchcraft accusations
Dodo Landu, general manager of the Congolese team, broke his silence to set the record straight:
“During Chancel’s penalty, I was praying for him to score. Immediately, the Nigerian coach thought I was doing voodoo.”
He clarified that this explanation was given to the Nigerian coach, who apologized after understanding the situation:
“We explained to him that the person accused of voodoo was none other than the team manager of the DRC national team.”
#RDC | Dodo Landu, cadre du staff technique des Léopards:
« Lors du tir au but de Chancel ⚽, j’étais en train de prier … mais le coach nigérian a cru que je faisais du vaudou . »
C’est d’ailleurs pour ça qu’Éric Sékou Chelle s’est excusé 🙇♂️ : on lui a expliqué que la personne… pic.twitter.com/mgdp0BFvcl
— NEWS.CD (@Newscd15) November 18, 2025
Ptdrrrrr Eric Chelles le coach du Nigeria qui voulait enchaîner Dodo Landu🇨🇩👊🏾🤣
Heureusement Desabre a intervenu🤣🤣🤣🤣faut voir comment le vieux il a fait un replis https://t.co/Vx0vOllRkkpic.twitter.com/JvNQatJzdT
— JO R LEVRAI (@JoreinMunongo) November 17, 2025
