South Africa’s Minister of Sports, Arts, and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, has openly declared that he does not wish for Nigeria’s Super Eagles to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
In an interview with Radio 947 in Johannesburg, McKenzie accused Nigeria of allegedly working against South Africa’s qualification campaign, a claim that has further fueled the rivalry between both nations.
His comments came amid lingering tension following a dramatic World Cup qualifying series. South Africa suffered a major blow earlier in the qualifiers when FIFA deducted three points from their total for fielding an ineligible player — a decision that initially threatened their automatic qualification.
Nigeria capitalized on the setback, winning their final two matches to stay in contention for the top spot. However, South Africa later secured Group C leadership with a convincing 3-0 victory over Rwanda, earning a return to the World Cup for the first time since hosting the tournament in 2010.
Nigeria, on the other hand, now faces a difficult path through the continental playoffs to keep their qualification hopes alive — a development McKenzie said he welcomes.
“I heard you saying earlier that we [South Africa] were rooting also for Nigeria,” McKenzie stated.
“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 alleged that Nigeria made moves “behind the scenes” to frustrate South Africa’s qualification bid.
“I knew what they did behind the scenes for us not to get there. I want them to lose. They will not go to the World Cup — another African country must go,” he said.
He, however, insisted his remarks were not personal, describing the rivalry as similar to that between South Africa’s top football clubs, Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates.
“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’s all,” McKenzie added.
Nigeria is set to face Gabon in the continental playoff this November, and if successful, they will advance to a decisive clash against either Congo DR or Cameroon for a spot in the intercontinental playoff — the final hurdle to secure qualification for the 2026 World Cup.