Nigeria Must Not Go To Fifa World Cup: SA Sports Minister Declares He Wants Them To Lose

South Africa’s Sports Minister Declares Nigeria Must Not Go To Fifa World Cup

South Africa’s Minister of Sport, Gayton McKenzie, has intensified the rivalry with Nigeria with explosive remarks about their 2026 World Cup campaign. In a live interview on 15 October 2025, he celebrated Bafana Bafana’s return to the global stage and dismissed suggestions that Nigeria “did South Africa a favour” on the decisive final day.

His comments followed South Africa’s 3–0 win over Rwanda on 14 October 2025, a victory that sealed top spot in Group C and automatic qualification, while Nigeria’s 4–0 win over Benin left the Super Eagles in the runners-up play-off lane.

The Nigeria flashpoint

McKenzie made his views unmistakably clear during his appearance on Marawa Sports Worldwide:

“I hear people say Nigeria did us a favour. Don’t they want to go to the World Cup themselves? No, man… everybody for himself.”

The minister then went further, declaring:

“We must support Nigeria to lose. I don’t want them to go to the World Cup.”

His remarks underscored the fierce rivalry between the two nations and echoed the relief that South Africa had qualified through competition for the first time since 2002.

“We’re going to the World Cup”

The minister’s comments came in the middle of a jubilant atmosphere across the country. Reflecting on the achievement, he said:

“I love this team… what Bafana have done — we’re going to the World Cup. 2002 was the last time we qualified through the competitive route. We mustn’t talk about 2010 because that was automatic.”

His words captured the pride of South Africans who had waited over two decades for such a moment.

Accountability for the admin blunder

While celebrating, McKenzie also confronted the controversy that almost derailed the campaign — an administrative error over yellow card suspensions that led to a points deduction earlier in the qualifiers. He pledged firm action:

“This matter will not be swept under the carpet. Whoever is responsible must face the full might of the law. I need to be firm. I need to be decisive. Indecision is the worst thing I can do to the soccer loving nation.”

He revealed that he would instruct the South African Football Association (SAFA) to drop its appeal, arguing that the focus must be on integrity and preparation:

“I’m writing a letter to SAFA to say withdraw your appeal. I’m writing them tonight… Let it go. Let this thing go. And so if they let it go, then they must let somebody else go.”

Players to be rewarded

Amid the rivalry talk and accountability promises, McKenzie underlined his commitment to supporting the squad on their World Cup journey. He promised that the players would be rewarded financially and backed with sponsorships to ensure they are fully supported.

“I can’t remember when last in my life I was that happy. Everyone in the World Cup is going to get a new contract. All the players that have never played in a World Cup… this would have been the one opportunity.”

He praised coach Hugo Broos for restoring pride to South African football and shared how overwhelmed he was, even spontaneously video-calling the President of South Africa to share the celebrations with the team live on air.