Nigeria manager Eric Chelle claimed DR Congo were practicing voodoo during the penalty shootout of their World Cup qualification play-off.
DR Congo upset the odds to beat Nigeria on penalties after a 1-1 draw in the African play-off.
They now go on to compete in the inter-confederation play-offs in March, hoping to make it to next summer’s World Cup and appear in the finals for the first time since 1974, while Chelle’s side miss out.
Nigeria had taken the lead after just three minutes through Frank Onyeka, but Meschack Elia scored after the interval and forced extra-time.
Captain Chancel Mbemba, formerly of Newcastle United, scored the winning goal in the shootout after DR Congo’s substitute goalkeeper, Timothy Fayulu, had saved from Semi Ajayi after being brought on for the spot-kicks.
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It was a dramatic evening in Rabat and made even more so by an accusation from Nigeria’s manager after the game.
Explaining a clash between the two benches, Chelle told ESPN: ‘During all of the penalties, the guys of Congo were doing some voodoo. Every time, every time, every time. This is why a little nervous of him.
‘Something like that…[shakes his fist in the air]. I don’t know if it’s water or something like that.’
Nigeria captain William Troost-Ekong was less controversial in his assessment, saying: ‘We are devastated. I am proud of the boys, they gave everything, not just today, but over the past ten months.
‘There are plenty of positives to take away. The future of this team is promising… but today is a very difficult day.’
Nigeria’s challenge was badly hampered by Victor Osimhen being forced off at half-time, seemingly due to injury.
However, their side featured a number of star names including Ademola Lookman, Alex Iwobi, Samuel Chukwueze and Wilfred Ndidi.
Defeat means Nigeria miss out on consecutive World Cups, having failed to qualify for Qatar 2022 as well.
DR Congo go on to the inter-confederation play-offs in March, with Bolivia and New Caledonia already qualified for that stage.
The Asian representatives will be either UAE or Iraq, while CONCACAF will have two teams involved as the host confederation, but those are yet to be confirmed.