South Africa’s Minister of Sports, Arts, and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, has sparked controversy after declaring that he does not want Nigeria’s Super Eagles to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Speaking during an interview with Radio 947 in Johannesburg, McKenzie accused Nigeria of allegedly undermining South Africa’s World Cup qualification campaign, saying his opposition to Nigeria’s success is a “response to their hostility.”
The remarks come amid heightened rivalry between both nations following a tense World Cup qualifying group.
South Africa had suffered a major setback earlier in the campaign when FIFA deducted three points from their tally for fielding an ineligible player — a penalty that temporarily endangered their automatic qualification hopes.
Nigeria capitalized on the development by winning their final two matches, putting pressure on Bafana Bafana before South Africa sealed their qualification with a 3–0 victory over Rwanda on the final day — their first World Cup ticket since 2010.
Nigeria, however, finished second and will now go through the CAF playoffs to keep their qualification hopes alive — a route McKenzie said he wishes will end in disappointment.
“I heard you saying earlier that we [South Africa] were rooting for Nigeria,” McKenzie said.
“I want to make it very clear that I wish for them not to qualify for the 2026 World Cup.”
The 51-year-old former gangster-turned-politician alleged that Nigeria “worked behind the scenes” to sabotage South Africa’s chances.
“I knew what they did behind the scenes for us not to get there. I want them to lose — they will not go to the World Cup. Let another African country go,” he stated.
McKenzie clarified that his comments were not born out of personal hatred but stem from sporting rivalry.
“It’s not that I don’t like Nigeria. I give the energy you give — they don’t like us, and we don’t like them. It’s not personal; it’s like the rivalry between Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates,” he added.
Nigeria will face Gabon in the continental playoffs in November, and if successful, will proceed to meet either Cameroon or DR Congo in the final playoff for a spot in the intercontinental qualifiers, where the continent’s last World Cup ticket will be decided.
