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South Africa Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, has openly declared that he does not want the Super Eagles of Nigeria to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, following recent controversy involving both nations during the qualifying campaign.
McKenzie made the comments while speaking in an interview shared on 𝕏 by South African journalist Robert Marawa, where he reacted to Nigeria’s involvement in a protest that affected Bafana Bafana’s World Cup qualification journey.
Naija News reports that South Africa were docked three points and three goals for fielding an ineligible player in their World Cup qualifier against Lesotho. Nigeria was among the countries that lodged formal complaints to FIFA, insisting that the global body should take action.
Despite the setback, Hugo Broos’ team managed to top Group C, finishing just one point ahead of Nigeria. The decision, however, left a bitter taste in McKenzie’s mouth.
“I heard you earlier saying that we (South Africa) will also root for Nigeria,” McKenzie said. “I want to make it very clear: I wish for them not to qualify. I just want to make that one clear. They tried… I knew what they did behind the scenes. I want them to lose. Nigeria must not go to the World Cup. Another African country must go.”
Nigeria, which missed the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, are now fighting to secure a spot at the 2026 edition, which will be hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. They will have to go through the long route of CAF play-offs in November 2025 and then FIFA Play-offs in March 2026.
Meanwhile, Bafana Bafana have already sealed their place in the tournament and are preparing for their first World Cup appearance since 2010, when South Africa hosted the competition.
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