A former veteran within the Nigerian Skilled Soccer League (NPFL), Taiwo Oloyede has described as a case of mere ‘psychological techniques,’ the current allegation raised by Tremendous Eagles’ coach, Eric Chelle about voodoo utilized by DR Congo in opposition to the Nigerian crew, Sports247 studies.
Oloyede, who performed as a midfielder for Stationary Shops and Julius Berger FC throughout his energetic days, harassed that Chelle solely allowed himself to be distracted by pranks utilized by The Leopards’ officers with a purpose to upset him and achieve a bonus over Nigeria.
Oloyede acknowledged as a lot whereas talking throughout ‘Sizzling Seat’ section on Inside Naija Sports activities, a dwell streaming programme which begins at 2:15pm each Friday on YouTube, from the studio of Sports247 Naija.
The fomer home league star, who loved invites to the junior and senior nationwide groups throughout his heyday, added that he was accustomed to such antics throughout his days with Shops FC.
He recalled, “It’s only a matter of psychology. Earlier than I joined Shops, I additionally used to say they have been utilizing juju; as a result of their gamers at all times entered the sphere with white handkerchiefs.
“Nonetheless, I later discovered that these hankys have been only for psychological impact. What we used to place in them normally was extraordinary dusting powder. It was once I bought there that I knew this secret.”
He then recounted a specific encounter when Shops’ Lagos-based rivals, Julius Berger determined to repeat his crew and entered an FA Cup last replay with their very own white handkerchiefs, however their antics backfired.
“I bear in mind in 1990, after we have been to replay the FA Cup for a second time in opposition to Julius Berger. We performed the ultimate 3 times, and for the third recreation, they determined to come back with their very own white handkerchiefs.
“I simply advised my teammates that we must always shock them. So, we determined that we must always assault them instantly we kick off. As their keeper was nonetheless tying his handkerchief spherical his neck, I took an extended shot and the ball was within the web.
“It was the quickest purpose of that interval at Onikan Stadium. So, that’s to inform you that the white hanky was only for enjoyable,” Oloyede affirmed.
He equally recalled that he used to place up some antics earlier than taking a penalty kick and reckoned that DR Congo did one thing much like upset Chelle and eventually defeat Nigeria through the lottery of spot kicks within the 2026 World Cup qualification play-offs last.
“Generally, once I wished to play a penalty, I might first cowl the ball with my hanky simply to upset their goalkeeper. That’s why I say it was silly of Chelle to cry about voodoo when the Tremendous Eagles misplaced to DR Congo.
“However, I’m additionally sorry to say, it’s one thing that many Francophone nations in West Africa are used to … proper from Benin Republic to Togo, Mali and Ivory Coast.
“They consider in it loads and used to splash our dressing rooms with blood of animals after we went to play matches in opposition to them of their nations,” Oloyede identified.
Nonetheless, the soft-spoken star, who’s fondly referred to as ‘Skippo’ by his admirers, harassed that the Tremendous Eagles merely misplaced to DR Congo as a result of the gamers weren’t ready for penalty kicks, not as a result of they have been charmed by voodoo.
“I consider that we merely misplaced as a result of our crew didn’t practice properly for penalties. In my days, if I performed 12 penalties, I might hardly lose one.
“So, I consider that the water Chelle mentioned he noticed DR Congo’s official spraying to cease our penalty kicks was simply psychology that they used to upset him.
“They really began it by altering their keeper within the dying minute. All of which can be psychological antics. It’s solely poorly taken penalties that he can catch,” Oloyede surmised.
