McKenzie wants Nigeria to lose World Cup playoffs

by Staff Reporter

Saturday Oct 18, 2025. 13:00

South Africa’s Minister of Sports, Gayton McKenzie, has stated that he hopes Nigeria will fail to qualify for the 2026 World Cup.

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) put pressure on FIFA to take action against Bafana Bafana over the Teboho Mokoena saga after he played against Lesotho in March despite being ineligible.

FIFA eventually docked South Africa three points last month which resulted in a nail-biting finish to the qualifying campaign in Group C as Hugo Broos’ side secured top spot and the Super Eagles finished second.

The West Africans advanced to the second round as one of the four best-ranked runners-up across the nine groups and they will face Gabon on November 13 for a spot in the inter-confederation playoffs.

McKenzie is praying that the Panthers will come out on top as he wants the NFF to pay for the role it played in Bafana Bafana’s sanction.

“I heard you earlier saying that we (South Africa) will also root for Nigeria,” he said on Marawa Sports Worldwide with Robert Marawa.

“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 for us not to get there (to the World Cup).

“I want them to lose. They must not go to the World Cup. Another African country must go.”

When asked if he has a disdain for Nigeria, McKenzie replied: “No, It’s not that. I give you the energy you give me. They don’t like us, we don’t like them. And it’s not personal.”