DR Congo is pursuing its dream. Three days after their victory snatched at the last minute against Cameroon thanks to a goal in added time from Chancel Mbemba, the Congolese did it again this Sunday against Nigeria.
The Leopards indeed won on penalties, Timothy Fayulu stopping no less than three attempts from the Nigerians while Chancel Mbemba delivered his own by deceiving Stanley Nwabali. Congo can therefore still believe in a second qualification for the World Cup, more than half a century after its participation in the 1974 World Cup. It will have to come out of the intercontinental play-offs which will also be contested by New Caledonia, Bolivia, an Asian nation and two from the Concacaf zone.
For Nigeria, the dream turned into a nightmare and Eric Chelle, the coach of the Super Eagles, had it bad. The technician did not hesitate to rush towards the opposing bench after the victorious shot of the former Marseillais, and wanted to attack a member of the Congolese staff, having to be restrained by his counterpart, Sébastien Desabre, the French coach of the DR Congo.
“The guy from DR Congo did voodoo”
The former Valenciennes and Lens defender explained this a few minutes later during his appearance in front of the press.
“During the entire penalty shootout, the guy from DR Congo was doing voodoo,” he accused. Every time, every time, every time… That’s why I was a little angry with him. »
And Eric Chelle mimed the gesture that this member of the Congolese staff was making, according to him, by making a swinging gesture with his right arm. “Something like that…I don’t know if it was water or something.”he whispered. Accusations of witchcraft which caused a stir in Africa.
