Former coach of DR Congo, Florent Ibenge, has described as nonsense, Eric Chelle’s claim that the Leopards used voodoo against the Super Eagles during their World Cup qualifying playoff final in Morocco.

Chelle had after the 4-3 defeat on penalty shootout, claimed that a member of the DR Congo technical staff used voodoo.

Recall that the Super Eagles of Nigeria won’t be present at the 2026 Fifa World Cup in the USA, Mexico and Canada after they were beaten by DR Congo in the final of the playoff in November.

Chelle accused a Congolese official of having performed “voodoo” rituals prior to the shootout.

Ibenge told ESPN that the Nigerian coach was talking nonsense.

“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, it’s more folklore than anything else, and we’re just perpetuating legends, rumours etc. It is the legacy of our oral tradition that continues.”

Nigeria recently announced their provisional squad for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco where they will take Tunisia, Uganda, and Tanzania in Group C of the tournament.

Meanwhile, a senior member of the team and captain, William Troost-Ekong on Thursday announced his retirement from international football.