Eric Chelle (Nigeria)
November 2025

Nigeria’s World Cup hopes ended in a 4 3 penalty shootout defeat to DR Congo after a 1 1 draw, with coach Eric Chelle expressing frustration that his side again missed out on the finals and insisting the tense decider slipped away in cruel fashion. Chelle confronted Congo staff after Chancel Mbemba scored the decisive kick, later alleging a member of the opposing bench repeatedly performed what he described as voodoo gestures during penalties, claims that added controversy to an already emotional elimination as Congo advanced to intercontinental play offs.