By Abiola Olawale
South Africa’s Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, has unleashed a scathing attack on Nigeria’s Super Eagles, declaring outright that he hopes they crash out of contention for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
McKenzie spoke during an interview with Radio 947 in Johannesburg, where he accused Nigeria of allegedly attempting to sabotage South Africa’s own recent qualification campaign.
“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].
“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.
“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.”
The New Diplomat reports that the Minister’s comments came after South Africa suffered a setback when FIFA deducted three points for fielding an ineligible player, a penalty that initially put their automatic qualification in jeopardy.
Nigeria, capitalising on the situation, won its final two matches to push for the top spot.
However, South Africa ultimately secured the Group C ticket and an automatic berth with a 3-0 victory over Rwanda on the final day, qualifying for their first World Cup since 2010.
Nigeria, meanwhile, was forced into a continental playoff path.
Nigeria will face Gabon in the continental playoff tournament in November, with a win taking the Super Eagles into the final where they must defeat either Congo DR or Cameroon to clinch the sole slot to represent Africa at the intercontinental playoff.
