Florent Ibenge Slams Super Eagles Boss Over Penalty Shootout Controversy.

Florent Ibenge

Former DR Congo head coach Florent Ibenge has vehemently rejected Nigeria’s accusations that the Leopards employed “voodoo” to sway last month’s 2026 World Cup qualifier African play-off final, branding the claims as baseless folklore, Sportblits.com reports.

The uproar stemmed from Nigeria’s 4-3 penalty shootout defeat to DR Congo in Rabat, Morocco, on November 16, where a 1-1 draw after extra time gave way to heartbreak for the Super Eagles. Frank Onyeka opened the scoring, only for Meschak Elia to equalize in the 32nd minute, before backup goalkeeper Timothy Fayulu saved two spot-kicks and captain Chancel Mbemba netted the decider.

Eric Chelle

An agitated Eric Chelle, visibly confronting the Congolese bench during the shootout, gesturing wildly and needing restraint, later accused an unnamed DR Congo official of unsporting conduct involving rhythmic arm movements toward the Nigerian goal. Footage captured the moment, fueling speculation of “voodoo” or “maraboutage” (a term evoking witchcraft).

Ibenge’s Firm Rebuttal

Now coaching in Tanzania with Azam FC, Ibenge, who helmed the Leopards for five years and spent seven in Congolese football, dismissed the notion outright in an ESPN interview:

“As for voodoo, I don’t believe in it for a second,” he said. “Especially as I know the person who’s been accused of this very well. I spent seven years in Congolese football and never once did I see a cause-and-effect relationship. It’s complete nonsense, more folklore than anything else. We’re just perpetuating legends and rumours. It’s the legacy of our oral tradition that continues.”

Ibenge emphasized that such stereotypes, often tied to West African traditions like those in Yoruba heartlands of Benin, Togo, and Nigeria, have no place in DR Congo’s football culture, which boasts its own indigenous customs but no link to on-pitch sorcery.

Aiyegbeni Echoes the Sentiment

Before Ibenge’s comments, ex-Super Eagles striker Yakubu Aiyegbeni labeled Chelle’s outburst “shameful” in a SportsCasting interview, urging accountability over excuses:

“If it were down to voodoo, I think an African country would have won the World Cup a long time ago,” Aiyegbeni quipped. “He [Chelle] should have congratulated DR Congo and said well done for winning, rather than bringing shame to Nigeria. He is a disgrace 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.”

Broader Fallout for Nigeria

The loss, despite stars like Victor Osimhen (injured early) and Ademola Lookman, marks Nigeria’s second straight World Cup absence, the first since 1990, despite their 36th global ranking dwarfing DR Congo’s 55th. Chelle, appointed in January, had steered a late recovery but now faces scrutiny over his post-match antics and the team’s nervy shootout misses.

Meanwhile, the Leopards, last at the World Cup in 1974 as Zaire, advance to March 31, 2026, in Zapopan, Mexico, against the Jamaica vs New Caledonia winner for one of two final inter-confederation spots. Ibenge remains optimistic: “This campaign… has fuelled belief that they will be present at next year’s tournament.”

As Nigeria shifts focus to AFCON 2025 in Morocco, where they face Tunisia, Uganda, and Tanzania in Group C, the voodoo saga underscores the fine line between passion and pettiness in African football’s high-stakes theater.