DR Congo team manager Dodo Landu has broken his silence after an unexpected flashpoint during Sunday’s World Cup playoff final, saying he was misjudged in the heat of one of the match’s most decisive moments.
The high-stakes clash between DR Congo and Nigeria had dragged through 120 punishing minutes, ending 1-1 before heading to a tense penalty shootout eventually won 4-3 by the Congolese side.
As the shootout reached its dramatic end, tensions flared on the touchline. According to reports, Nigeria head coach Eric Chelle locked eyes with Landu, suspecting that the DR Congo official was attempting to influence the penalties through supernatural means.
The situation boiled over when Nigeria’s Semi Ajayi saw his kick saved and Congolese captain Chancel Mbemba stepped up for the potential winner. Landu, overwhelmed with nerves, whispered a prayer. Chelle, misreading the gesture, stormed toward the opposition bench after Mbemba converted the decisive penalty—sparking a brief confrontation halted by security and backroom staff.
After the match, Landu said the accusation wasn’t only inaccurate, but baffling.
“When Chancel was preparing to shoot, I simply prayed for him. The Nigerian coach thought I was doing something spiritual against his team, but that was never the case,” Landu explained, as reported by Soccernet.
He added that his reaction was nothing more than an emotional response familiar to anyone who has lived through such high-pressure sporting moments.
DR Congo’s triumph propels them into next year’s intercontinental playoff, moving them a step closer to the 2026 World Cup. Nigeria, meanwhile, must now grapple with the disappointment of falling short, with Ajayi’s miss proving to be the fatal turning point.
In the aftermath, Chelle publicly apologised, acknowledging that the intensity of the moment clouded his judgment. He expressed respect for DR Congo’s staff and said he regretted the touchline flare-up.
With World Cup hopes dashed, the Super Eagles will shift their focus to the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, kicking off in December. Nigeria—finalists at the last edition in Côte d’Ivoire—face a challenging group that includes Tunisia, Uganda, and Tanzania.
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Powerhouses like Senegal, Morocco, Côte d’Ivoire, Egypt, and Algeria are also gearing up to battle for the continental crown, setting the stage for a fiercely competitive tournament.
