South Africa’s Minister of Sports, Arts, and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, has openly declared that he does not want Nigeria’s Super Eagles to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Speaking in an interview with Johannesburg’s Radio 947, McKenzie accused Nigeria of trying to sabotage South Africa’s qualification efforts, saying his stance was a reaction to what he described as “behind-the-scenes” interference.
“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.
