“SOUTH AFRICA SPORTS MINISTER WANTS NIGERIA OUT OF 2026 WORLD CUP – ‘I WISH SUPER EAGLES FAIL ’”
GREATRIBUNETVNEWS–South Africa’s Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie , has openly admitted he doesn’t want Nigeria to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. In a radio interview with Radio 947, McKenzie accused Nigeria of trying to sabotage South Africa’s qualification push and said he hopes the Super Eagles fail in the continental play offs.
Why the tension?
– South Africa lost 3 points for fielding an ineligible player, jeopardizing automatic qualification.
– Nigeria seized the chance, winning its last two matches, but South Africa clinched the group with a 3‑0 win over Rwanda, securing a direct spot.
– Nigeria now faces a tough playoff route, which McKenzie wants to see *blocked*.
McKenzie clarified his stance:
> “I heard you saying earlier that we [South Africa] were rooting also for Nigeria… I want to make it very clear that I wish for them not to qualify .”
The comment has sparked strong reactions across both nations.
Current status:Nigeria must win a series of playoff matches to reach the 2026 World Cup; South Africa has already qualified automatically.
McKenzie, a former gangster turned minister, claimed Nigeria worked against South Africa’s qualification hopes; hence,he hopes Super Eagles don’t qualify for the prestigious tournament.
“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 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.
Failure would see Nigeria miss consecutive World Cup tournaments for the first time since 1994.
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