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Nigeria’s painful exit from the 2026 World Cup qualification race took an unexpected twist on Sunday after head coach Eric Chelle clashed with DR Congo’s team manager, Dodo Landu, during a tense penalty shootout in the continental playoff final, Soccernet.ng reports.
Chelle, who watched his Super Eagles fall 4–3 on penalties after a 1–1 draw across 120 gruelling minutes, reacted angrily when he spotted Landu pacing, gesturing, and murmuring near the touchline as both teams stood for the decisive shootout.
The Malian appeared convinced that the Congo DR official was interfering spiritually to influence the outcome, leading to an ugly, dramatic moment at the end of the contest.
Nigeria ultimately bowed out of the qualifiers after Semi Ajayi saw his penalty saved, opening the door for Congo DR captain, Chancel Mbemba to convert the decisive kick.
As Mbemba’s effort hit the net, jubilant Congolese players sprinted to celebrate, but Chelle stormed forward, attempting to confront Landu before being physically restrained by staff and security.
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The defeat ends Nigeria’s hopes of reaching the 2026 World Cup, while Congo DR move on to next year’s intercontinental playoffs.
In the aftermath of the heated exchange, Landu dismissed all allegations of attempting to use supernatural means to sway the shootout. He insisted he was simply praying for his captain during the winning kick.
Landu said: “During Chancel’s penalty kick, I was praying for him to score. Immediately, the Nigerian coach thought I was performing voodoo.” The Congolese official maintained that his actions were entirely innocent and rooted in emotion rather than mysticism.
Chelle, who took charge of Nigeria earlier this year, has since apologised for his outburst. He emphasised his respect for Congo DR’s players and officials, acknowledging that the tension of the moment influenced his reaction.
