2026 World Cup: I Don’t Want Nigeria to Qualify – South Africa Sport Minister
South Africa’s Minister of Sports, Arts, and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, has declared that he does not want Nigeria’s South Africa to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Speaking in an interview with Radio 947 in Johannesburg, McKenzie accused Nigeria of undermining South Africa’s recent qualification efforts.
The 51-year-old insisted that South Africa does not support Nigeria’s World Cup ambitions and expressed hope that Eric Chelle’s team fails in the playoffs.
“I want to make it very clear that I wish for them not to qualify [for the 2026 FIFA World Cup],” McKenzie said.
A former gangster turned politician, McKenzie claimed Nigeria worked against South Africa’s chances of qualification.
“I knew what they did behind the scenes for us not to get there. I want them to lose; they will not go to the World Cup, and another African country must go,” he added.
Titilope Adako is a talented and intrepid journalist, dedicated to shedding light on the untold stories of Osun State and Nigeria. Through incisive reporting, she tackles a broad spectrum of topics, from politics and social justice to culture and entertainment, with a commitment to accuracy, empathy, and inspiring positive change.
