South Africa’s Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, has again stirred fresh controversy after openly declaring that he does not want Nigeria’s Super Eagles to qualify for the fifa-world-cup/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">2026 FIFA World Cup.
In an interview shared on X by South African journalist Robert Marawa, McKenzie said his sentiment stems from Nigeria’s involvement in a FIFA complaint that cost his country valuable points during the World Cup qualifiers.
“I heard you earlier saying that we (South Africa) will also root for Nigeria,” he said. “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.”
Tension Lingers as Rivalry Deepens
The comments have reignited long-standing tensions between Nigerian and South African football fans, with many interpreting McKenzie’s statement as another wave of subtle xenophobia creeping into the sporting arena.
The controversy began after Bafana Bafana were docked three points and three goals by FIFA for fielding an ineligible player against Lesotho. Nigeria was among the nations that filed a protest, demanding that FIFA take disciplinary action.
Though South Africa ultimately finished top of Group C—one point ahead of the Super Eagles—McKenzie’s remarks reveal lingering bitterness about Nigeria’s role in the affair.
Football analysts say the minister’s comment undermines the spirit of African unity in global sports.
Nigeria and South Africa have one of Africa’s fiercest rivalries in football, stretching from the Super Eagles’ historic dominance in the 1990s to the Bafana Bafana’s resurgence in recent years.
With the next phase of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers set to resume in March 2026, many fans are now asking: Can political emotions and national pride ever stay off the pitch?
