"After a fraught and dramatic continental playoff final on Sunday, where Nigeria were eliminated by DR Congo on penalties, the Super Eagles manager, Eric Chelle, said that his team had been defeated by voodoo. The claim came in the aftermath of a tense match in Rabat where DR Congo edged out the favourites 4-3 on penalties following a 1-1 draw after extra time. The result means Nigeria, one of the continent's heavyweights, will miss consecutive World Cups for the first time since 1990."
"After Chancel Mbemba's decisive spot-kick, Chelle was seen confronting the opposing coaching staff on the touchline, including the DR Congo manager, Sebastien Desabre, and had to be held back by his own coaching team. Despite Desabre saying the altercation was not an issue in his post-match press conference, Chelle asked reporters why they had not brought up the incident to him. He then accused DR Congo of doing maraboutage a term used colloquially to describe acts of magic or bewitchment."
Nigeria failed to qualify for the next World Cup after losing a continental playoff final to DR Congo on penalties following a 1-1 draw after extra time in Rabat. DR Congo won the shootout 4-3, with Chancel Mbemba scoring the decisive spot-kick. Manager Eric Chelle confronted members of the DR Congo coaching staff after the match and accused them of maraboutage and voodoo, alleging he saw staff make gestures during the shootout. DR Congo manager Sebastien Desabre said the touchline altercation was not an issue. Nigeria captain William Troost-Ekong expressed devastation and pride in the players' efforts.
#world-cup-qualification #nigeria-national-team #dr-congo #voodoomaraboutage-accusations #penalty-shootout
Read at www.theguardian.com
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