South Africa’s Minister of Sports, Arts, and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, has stated that he does not want Nigeria’s Super Eagles to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
During an interview with Radio 947 in Johannesburg, McKenzie accused Nigeria of seeking to undermine South Africa’s qualification efforts.
The statement comes amid rising tensions between the two countries following a tumultuous World Cup qualifying group.
South Africa suffered a significant setback when FIFA deducted three points from their total for fielding an ineligible player, a penalty that initially jeopardized their automatic qualification aspirations.
The Super Eagles took advantage of the circumstances, winning their final two group matches and remaining in contention for the top slot.
South Africa, on the other hand, won Group C with a 3-0 victory over Rwanda on the penultimate day, securing their spot in the World Cup for the first time since 2010.
Super Eagles, on the other hand, now has a difficult journey through the continental playoffs to keep their qualification chances alive, which McKenzie firmly opposes.
“I heard you saying earlier that we [South Africa] were rooting also for Nigeria,” he said.
“I want to make it very clear that I wish for them not to qualify [for the 2026 FIFA World Cup].”
The 51-year-old former gangster-turned-minister claimed the Super Eagles conspired against South Africa’s World Cup goals, saying that his position is a reaction to perceived hostility.
“I knew what they did behind the scenes for us not to get there (qualify for the World Cup). I want them to lose; they will not go to the World Cup, and another African country must go,” he added.
“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 is not personal. It’s like [the rivalry] between [Kaiser] Chiefs and [Orlando] Pirates.”
Nigeria will face Gabon in the continental playoff in November, and if they win, they will advance to a final against either Congo DR or Cameroon for the opportunity to represent Africa in the intercontinental playoff.
