South Africa’s minister of sports, arts, and culture, Gayton McKenzie, has openly stated that he does not want the Super Eagles of Nigeria to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Speaking during an interview with Radio 947 in Johannesburg, McKenzie accused Nigeria of allegedly attempting to undermine South Africa’s qualification efforts.
The rivalry stems from a dramatic World Cup qualifying campaign in Group C. South Africa faced a major setback when FIFA deducted three points for fielding an ineligible player, a sanction that temporarily threatened their automatic qualification spot.
Nigeria, seizing the opportunity, won their final two fixtures to challenge for the top position.
However, South Africa secured qualification with a decisive 3-0 win over Rwanda on the final matchday, sealing their first World Cup appearance since 2010.
Nigeria, meanwhile, finished second and will now have to battle through the continental playoffs. McKenzie made it clear he does not want the Super Eagles to succeed in that route.
“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].”
McKenzie, once a gangster before turning politician, claimed Nigeria worked against South Africa behind the scenes during the qualifiers, which fuels his stance.
“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 is set to face Gabon in the continental playoffs in November. Victory will take the Super Eagles into a final showdown against either Congo DR or Cameroon, with only one team advancing to the intercontinental playoff.
A failure would mean Nigeria misses the World Cup for the second consecutive time — something that has not happened since their debut in 1994.