South Africa’s Minister of Sports, Arts, and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, has stated that he does not want the Super Eagles of Nigeria to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
In an interview with Radio 947 in Johannesburg, McKenzie accused Nigeria of attempting to sabotage South Africa’s qualification efforts.
The remark comes amid increasing tension between the two countries following a highly competitive World Cup qualifying group.
South Africa encountered a major setback when FIFA deducted three points from their tally for fielding an ineligible player — a penalty that initially threatened their automatic qualification chances.
Nigeria capitalised on the situation by winning their final two group matches to remain in contention for the top position.
However, South Africa eventually secured the Group C ticket after defeating Rwanda 3-0 on the final day, earning their first World Cup qualification since 2010.
Nigeria, on the other hand, now faces a challenging route through the continental playoffs to keep their qualification hopes alive — a prospect McKenzie said he 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 that Nigeria acted against South Africa’s World Cup ambitions, asserting that his position was a response 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 play against Gabon in the continental playoff in November, and if they succeed, they will advance to face either Congo DR or Cameroon for a chance to represent Africa at the intercontinental playoff.
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