Former Super Eagles striker Yakubu Aiyegbeni has strongly criticised Nigeria head coach Eric Chelle for attributing the team’s failure to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup to “voodoo,” describing the remark as embarrassing and unacceptable.
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Nigeria fell to DR Congo in the CAF play-off final after a tense penalty shoot-out in Rabat, with captain Chancel Mbemba scoring the decisive spot-kick to send the Leopards into the intercontinental play-offs.
The defeat marked Nigeria’s second consecutive failure to reach the World Cup.
In the immediate aftermath, Chelle confronted the DR Congo coaching crew on the touchline and later claimed the opponents had used “voodoo” to influence the game.
His comments drew widespread backlash, including from Yakubu, who enjoyed a distinguished Premier League career with Everton, Portsmouth and Blackburn Rovers.
Speaking to SportsCasting, the former striker dismissed the notion entirely.
“If it was down to voodoo, I think an African country would have won the World Cup a long time ago,” Yakubu said.
He added that Chelle’s remarks had tarnished Nigeria’s image at a time when leadership and accountability were needed.
“He just needed to congratulate DR Congo and say well done for winning, rather than bringing shame to Nigeria. He is a shame to Nigeria, a coach coming out and saying it’s because of voodoo,” Yakubu stated.
Nigeria struggled in the shoot-out, missing their first two penalties through Calvin Bassey and Moses Simon, before Semi Ajayi’s effort was saved by goalkeeper Timothy Fayulu in sudden death.
The match had earlier been levelled in the first half after Frank Onyeka’s deflected opener was cancelled out by Meschak Elia, who capitalised on a Wilfred Ndidi error.
DR Congo, whose only previous World Cup appearance came in 1974 when they competed as Zaire, will now advance to the intercontinental play-offs in March.
They will face Bolivia, New Caledonia and three other teams for a ticket to the 2026 World Cup.
