McKenzie said South Africans will be rooting for another country to progress to the tournament at Nigeria’s expense.
By Kehinde Okeowo
South Africa’s Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, has openly stated that he does not want Nigeria’s Super Eagles to qualify for the 2026 World Cup.
He made the comments recently during an interview shared on X by South African journalist, Robert Marawa.
McKenzie was reacting to Nigeria’s involvement in his country’s complicated qualifying journey.
South Africa, nicknamed Bafana Bafana, were deducted three points and three goals for fielding an ineligible player against Lesotho.
Nigeria are one of the countries that protested and demanded that FIFA take necessary action against South Africa.
Despite the penalty, coach Hugo Broos’ team eventually booked a World Cup ticket after finishing top of Group C, one point ahead of the Super Eagles.
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However, Nigeria still qualified for the playoffs and will have another opportunity to fight for a place at the tournament.
Reacting to the development, McKenzie alleged that Nigeria played a role in ensuring Bafana Bafana’s points were deducted.
He went on to say that South Africans will be rooting for another African country to progress to the tournament at Nigeria’s expense.
He said, “I heard you earlier saying that we (South Africa) will also root for Nigeria.
“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.”
