Ibenge insisted that the official being accused would not engage in such practices, adding that he does not believe voodoo works.
By Kehinde Okeowo
Former DR Congo coach, Florent Ibenge, has slammed Super Eagles boss, Eric Chelle, for alleging that the Leopards used voodoo against Nigeria during the CAF World Cup qualifying play-off final in Morocco, describing the claim as “complete nonsense.”
Ibenge rubbished the allegation leveled by Chelle while featuring as a guest on a programme on ESPN recently.
Nigeria will not be present at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the USA, Mexico, and Canada following the Super Eagles’ defeat by DR Congo in the play-off final last November.
Chelle, however, claimed that a member of the DR Congo technical crew performed “voodoo” rituals prior to the penalty shootout, which they lost 4-3.
Speaking to reporters after the game, Chelle said, “During all the penalty sessions, the guy from Congo did some voodoo.”
READ ALSO: Chelle alleges DR Congo used ‘voodoo’ in Nigeria shootout loss
Reacting to the allegation during his interview, Ibenge insisted that the Nigerian coach was talking nonsense.
He added that he knows the official being accused wouldn’t engage in such practices, stating firmly that he does not believe voodoo works.
“As for voodoo, I don’t believe in it for a second,” Ibenge 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, rumors etc. It is the legacy of our oral tradition that continues.”
