“I Want Nigeria to Lose” — South African Minister Sparks World Cup Drama

South Africa’s Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, has publicly declared that he hopes Nigeria’s Super Eagles do not qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, citing frustration over what he called behind-the-scenes manoeuvres during the qualification campaign.

His remarks, made in an interview picked up by South African media, follow a heated period in which Bafana Bafana were sanctioned by FIFA for fielding an ineligible player against Lesotho, a ruling that saw South Africa lose three points and three goals.

McKenzie framed his stance as a reaction to the embarrassment he believes the incident caused the nation and argued that Nigeria’s involvement in protests and rule enforcement during the controversy amounted to meddling.

He told the interviewer he wanted it made clea that he did not want Nigeria to qualify and that another African nation should take that World Cup slot instead. The minister also suggested he was aware of “behind-the-scenes” actions by Nigerian parties during the dispute, and said that those actions motivated his position.

Despite the dispute and the point deduction, South Africa finished top of Group C under coach Hugo Broos, ending the group stage one point above Nigeria. The Super Eagles, who were reportedly part of a broader push for FIFA to apply the rules strictly, nonetheless finished second in the group and face an uncertain path to the tournament as play-off fixtures loom.

Tensions After a Controversial Ruling

The row escalated after FIFA’s disciplinary decision against South Africa, which penalized Bafana Bafana for an administrative breach. That sanction fueled accusations and counter-accusations across the continent, with several federations and observers weighing in on fairness and oversight.

McKenzie’s comments must be read against that fraught backdrop: he is positioning his frustration not only as a reaction to the sanction itself but also to what he perceives as Nigeria’s role in the enforcement process.

Observers note that the incident has reignited debates about governance, transparency and sports diplomacy in African football. While some stakeholders argue that strict rule enforcement is necessary to keep competitions fair, others see the timing and handling of the case as symptomatic of deeper administrative weaknesses that leave federations vulnerable to damaging headlines.

The public spat between a government minister and a neighbouring footballing nation risks shifting focus from the players and matches to bureaucratic wrangling, a distraction neither team needs ahead of crucial qualifiers and potential playoff ties.

Also read: Odegbami: Nigeria Must Qualify for 2026 World Cup to Give Africa a Voice

South Africa’s ability to finish atop the group despite the point deduction underscored the narrow margins at play. For Nigeria, the finish leaves the Super Eagles in a precarious spot: they will now prepare for the next phase of qualification under intense scrutiny and amid heated rhetoric from neighbours.

Meanwhile, local fans and pundits in both countries have taken to social media and sports shows to dissect the minister’s comments, with reactions split between support for a tough stance and concern that political interference could inflame relations between football communities.