South Africa’s Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, has stirred controversy after openly stating that he does not want Nigeria’s Super Eagles to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. His remarks come amid tensions between both nations following a recent qualification dispute.

In an interview shared on 𝕏 (formerly Twitter) by South African journalist Robert Marawa, McKenzie expressed his frustration over Nigeria’s role in a protest that impacted Bafana Bafana’s qualification campaign.

According to Gossip News Now, South Africa were penalized three points and three goals after fielding an ineligible player in their qualifier against Lesotho. Nigeria was among the countries that lodged formal complaints to FIFA, demanding disciplinary action.

Despite the sanction, Hugo Broos’ side still managed to top Group C, finishing just one point ahead of Nigeria — a result that did little to ease McKenzie’s discontent.

“I heard someone say earlier that we (South Africa) should support Nigeria,” McKenzie said. “Let me make this clear: I do not want them to qualify. I know what they did behind the scenes. I want them to lose. Nigeria must not go to the World Cup. Let another African country go instead.”

Nigeria, who missed the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, are now battling to secure a ticket to the 2026 tournament, which will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The Super Eagles will have to navigate the CAF play-offs in November 2025 and, if successful, the FIFA intercontinental play-offs in March 2026.

Meanwhile, Bafana Bafana have already qualified for the 2026 World Cup, marking their first appearance since hosting the tournament in 2010. The South Africans are now focused on preparing for a strong showing on the global stage — even if their sports minister is rooting against one of Africa’s football giants.