Former Super Eagles striker Yakubu Aiyegbeni has publicly criticised head coach Eric Chelle for attributing Nigeria’s World Cup playoff defeat to Congo to what he described as “voodoo,” a comment that has since sparked outrage among fans and football stakeholders.
He described the statement as deeply unprofessional, unnecessary, and harmful to the image of Nigerian football on the international stage, stressing that such claims distract from real issues that must be addressed if the team is to improve.
Recall that Nigeria officially crashed out of the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers after losing 4-3 on penalties in Morocco, marking a second consecutive failure to qualify for world football’s biggest competition.
The painful loss has generated widespread debate, with supporters expressing disappointment in both the players and the technical crew over what many consider avoidable mistakes during the match and shootout.
‘Embarrassing and unacceptable’ – Aiyegbeni
According to Chelle, Congo’s coach had poured water around the penalty spot before Nigeria’s missed kicks, and he suggested that the act affected the outcome of the shootout.
However, Aiyegbeni dismissed the claim outright, insisting that it was an attempt to deflect blame instead of accepting responsibility for a bitter failure.
He said such remarks are unbecoming of a national team coach and weaken confidence in the team’s leadership.
“It was the first time I heard a Nigeria coach talking about voodoo. If it was voodoo, I think an African country would have won the World Cup a long time ago,” he told Sportscasting.
The former striker added that football should be explained with facts, tactics, and performance, not superstition and excuses.
“It’s a shame for him to say that… He just needed to congratulate the team and say well done for winning.”
He also questioned why a coach would choose such a sensitive moment to make controversial claims instead of focusing on what went wrong technically and mentally during the clash.
Aiyegbeni noted that Chelle’s reactions both on the touchline and in front of the media only added to the embarrassment of the defeat.
“He is a shame to Nigeria… It’s not a good look for him and for us. He better learn from that.”
Nigeria must take responsibility, says Aiyegbeni
Aiyegbeni insisted that the Nigerian team had enough opportunities during the match to secure victory long before penalties became an issue.
According to him, poor finishing, lack of composure, and mental pressure cost the team dearly.
“We had chances to win it but we lost it… Our penalties were quite poor. The pressure was too much for the players to deal with.”
He urged both the coaching staff and players to take full responsibility for the defeat rather than resorting to external factors.
He stressed that football at the elite level is decided by preparation, discipline, and execution, not rituals or spiritual explanations.
Attention shifts to AFCON
With the Africa Cup of Nations fast approaching, Aiyegbeni advised the team to put the World Cup disappointment behind them and shift focus to rebuilding confidence.
He emphasized that the tournament presents a fresh chance to redeem themselves and restore pride among Nigerian supporters.
“We have to focus now on the AFCON… The coach should just let go.”
He concluded by urging unity among players, coaches, and fans, reminding everyone that progress can only come through accountability, correction of mistakes, and collective support.