SportsNews

2026 WCQ: Chelle Accuses DR Congo of Using ‘Voodoo’ to win Nigeria

Published

4 months ago

November 17, 2025

By Ifeanyi Okwara

Super Eagles head coach, Eric Chelle, has alleged that the Democratic Republic of Congo engaged in “voodoo” practices during the penalty shoot-out of Sunday’s World Cup qualifying playoff final in Morocco.

Speaking to reporters after the match, Chelle said his frustration during the tense shoot-out was directed at certain members of DR Congo’s backroom staff, whom he accused of performing rituals aimed at unsettling Nigerian players.

Nigeria opened the scoring in the third minute through a deflected effort by Frank Onyeka, but Meschak Elia equalised for DR Congo later in the first half. With no further goals in regulation or extra time, the match ended 1–1 after 120 minutes before proceeding to penalties.

DR Congo eventually triumphed in the shoot-out to advance to the final stage of the World Cup qualifying play-offs.

Tensions escalated after Chancel Mbemba scored the winning penalty, prompting Chelle to charge toward the DR Congo technical area, confronting head coach Sébastien Desabre and other staff members before Nigerian officials intervened.

Desabre later dismissed the incident at the post-match press conference, describing it as “not an issue.”

Chelle, however, maintained his stance, insisting he witnessed Congolese officials performing ritual-like actions during every Nigerian penalty.

“During all the penalty sessions, the guy from Congo did some voodoo,” Chelle claimed, adding that he saw someone in the technical area “spraying something, maybe water,” in an attempt to affect his players.

The loss deepens Nigeria’s World Cup struggles, as the Super Eagles also failed to qualify for the 2022 tournament—marking the first time since their 1994 debut that they have missed two consecutive editions.

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SportsNews

Chelsea mathematically out of title race after 3-0 defeat to Everton

Published

1 day ago

March 21, 2026

Ekwutos Blog

Chelsea are now mathematically out of the Premier League title race.

This follows their 3-0 drubbing in the hands of Everton at the Hill Dickinson Stadium on Saturday night.

Liam Rosenior’s men came into the match with 48 points, looking to keep pace with the teams in front of them.

However, Beto opened the scoring for the hosts in the first half, before adding a second after the break.

Chelsea barely threatened Everton and looked flat for most of the game, before Iliman Ndiaye added a third.

The result means the Blues cannot match the 70 points that league leaders Arsenal currently have with seven matches left.

Champions Liverpool are also on the verge of being mathematically ruled out, as they have 49 points.

SportsNews

Super Eagles player bounced me from Iheanacho’s room — Osimhen

Published

2 days ago

March 21, 2026

Ekwutos Blog

Galatasaray striker, Victor Osimhen, has claimed that a senior member of the Super Eagles squad in 2017 sent him away from a hotel room during his first call-up to the national team.

According to the 27-year-old, it was Kelechi Iheanacho who intervened and welcomed him inside.

Osimhen revealed this while appearing on a Twitch livestream with comedian, Carter Efe in the early hours of Saturday.

He said: “When I came, I met Iheanacho. And I told him, ‘ah, see me, I’m gonna carry your boots.’ So he said I should come to his room so, he gave me his room number.

“So, as I got to his room — I don’t just want to mention the name — he had a roommate. So, as I knocked on the door, the roommate opened the door. So, he like bounced me out of the room.”

Osimhen refused to reveal the identity of the player who sent him away.

SportsNews

AFCON 2025; Drama as Senegal Reportedly Relocates Trophy To Military Base After CAF Decision (Video)

Published

3 days ago

March 20, 2026

Ekwutos Blog

Drama as Senegal reportedly relocates AFCON trophy to military base after Confederation of African Football (CAF) viral decision.

‎It would be recalled that CAF stripped Senegal of their Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title, awarding it to Morocco instead.

This decision came after Morocco appealed the result of the January 18 final, where Senegal won 1-0 in extra time.

‎ According to the CAF Appeal Board, Senegal had forfeited the match due to their players walking off the pitch in protest of a penalty awarded to Morocco, citing Articles 82 and 84 of the AFCON regulations.

The controversy surrounds the AFCON final, where Senegal’s players walked off the pitch in protest of a late penalty awarded to Morocco.

In a clip circulating on the microblogging platform, X (formerly Twitter), a young man with glasses is seen holding the AFCON trophy surrounded by military personnel.

The clip captures the military personnel’s excitement as they support the trophy, with an officer recording the moment.

In a recent development, Senegal has announced plans to appeal the decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), with some officials and players expressing outrage and disappointment.