Yakubu Slams Chelle for Voodoo Claims After WCQ Loss to DR Congo: “He Is a Shame to Nigeria”
- Former Super Eagles striker Yakubu Aiyegbeni has hit out at head coach Eric Chelle after his voodoo claims
- Chelle got into an altercation with the DR Congo bench during the penalty shootout of the World Cup play-off
- Nigeria missed out on two consecutive FIFA World Cups after losing the African play-offs final on penalties
Yakubu Aiyegbeni has hit out at Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle over the manager’s voodoo claims following Nigeria's loss to the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Nigeria missed out on the 2026 FIFA World Cup after falling short in the final of the African playoff, during which they lost on penalties to DR Congo.
Source: Getty Images
Chelle was involved in an altercation with the Leopards’ bench during the shootout, after which he accused DR Congo of using voodoo.
“During the penalty session, a guy from DR Congo did some voodoo. Every time, every time, every time, so this is why I was a little bit nervous after him,” he told ESPN.
“I saw something like that (raising his hand, chanting something). I don't know if it's water or something.”
According to The Athletic, FIFA or CAF could sanction the Super Eagles manager with a touchline ban and fine over the violent conduct.
Yakubu Aiyegbeni slams Eric Chelle
Former Super Eagles striker Yakubu Aiyegbeni has dismissed Chelle’s claims of DR Congo and claimed that it brought shame to Nigeria.
“If it was down to Voodoo, I think an African country would have won the World Cup a long time ago. He [Chelle] just needed to congratulate DR Congo and say well done for winning, rather than bringing shame to Nigeria,” he told Sports Casting.
“He is a shame to Nigeria, a coach coming out and saying it’s because of Voodoo. We lost on penalties, he tried to fight someone, and they had to pull him back. It is not a good look for him or for Nigeria.
“Our penalties were quite poor. The pressure was too much for the players to deal with.”
It will be a second consecutive absence at the World Cup for Nigeria, and Aiyegbeni added that he feels sad for their generation of players, as most of them would be out of the national team by 2030.
Source: Getty Images
“We didn’t qualify last time, and now Nigeria is going to miss the World Cup, too. It's sad that most of these players will never play in a World Cup,” he said.
“When it comes to 2030, it's going to be a long time, and their age already is going to be gone. Then we have more young players coming up. Every year, you see new young players coming up, and I’m sad for this squad.”
Nigerians, despite their anger at missing out on the 2026 World Cup, have moved on, and their attention is now on the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, where they expect to win the title.
Mikel slammed Chelle's voodoo claims
Legit.ng reported that Mikel Obi slammed Eric Chelle after the Super Eagles manager accused DR Congo of using voodoo to beat Nigeria on penalties.
The Chelsea legend claimed that the comment was ridiculous, but blamed the loss on the players’ protest against unpaid wages before Gabon clash.
Don't miss out! Join Legit.ng's Sports News channel on WhatsApp now!
Proofreading by Omoleye Omoruyi, copy editor at Legit.ng.
Source: Legit.ng
