South Africa’s Minister of Sports, Arts, and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, has publicly stated that he does not wish Nigeria’s Super Eagles to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
During an interview with Johannesburg’s Radio 947, McKenzie alleged that Nigeria was attempting to undermine South Africa’s qualification efforts, stating that his stance was a response to what he termed as
“I heard you saying earlier that we [South Africa] were rooting also for Nigeria,” McKenzie said during the interview. “I want to make it very clear that I wish for them not to qualify [for the 2026 FIFA World Cup].”
The minister’s comments come amid heightened tension between the two nations following a dramatic World Cup qualifying campaign. South Africa’s progress was nearly derailed when FIFA deducted three points for fielding an ineligible player, jeopardizing their automatic qualification hopes. Nigeria capitalized on the setback by winning their last two group matches, keeping the pressure on South Africa for the top spot.
However, South Africa ultimately secured the Group C ticket with a decisive 3-0 win over Rwanda on the final match day, booking their place at the World Cup for the first time since 2010. Nigeria, meanwhile, now faces a difficult route through the continental playoffs to stay in contention.
“I knew what they did behind the scenes for us not to get there (qualify for the World Cup),” McKenzie claimed. “I want them to lose; they will not go to the World Cup, and another African country must go.”
He clarified that his comments were not personal but reflected a competitive 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, that is all. It’s not personal. It’s like [the rivalry] between [Kaizer] Chiefs and [Orlando] Pirates.”
Nigeria is scheduled to play Gabon in the continental playoff in November, and a win would secure a place in the final against either Congo DR or Cameroon, with the ultimate goal of representing Africa at the intercontinental playoff.
