By Ghazali Ibrahim
South Africa’s Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, has publicly declared he does not want Nigeria’s Super Eagles to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Speaking in an interview shared on X by South African journalist Robert Marawa, McKenzie said he resented Nigeria’s role in a dispute that affected South Africa’s qualifying campaign and made his feelings plain.
“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.”
The comment came after a contentious period in Group C qualifying in which South Africa were temporarily docked three points and three goals for fielding an ineligible player in a match against Lesotho, a punishment that followed protests from several nations, including Nigeria.
Despite the deduction drama, South Africa ultimately topped Group C, finishing one point ahead of Nigeria.
Nigeria’s Super Eagles were central to the controversy after lodging complaints that prompted FIFA action over player eligibility.
Those proceedings and their fallout dominated headlines and appeared to be the backdrop for McKenzie’s rebuke.
McKenzie’s statement, voiced in his capacity as minister is likely to attract scrutiny given the diplomatic and sporting implications of senior officials publicly rooting against other national teams.
Reactions on social media and among football stakeholders are expected as the comments circulate.
FIFA has not commented on McKenzie’s remarks. The Super Eagles and Nigeria’s football authorities have also not issued an immediate response.
