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2026 WCQ: Super Eagles must not qualify – South Africa Sports Minister,


South Africa’s Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, has admitted he does not want the Super Eagles to qualify for the 2026 World Cup.


McKenzie was reacting to Nigeria’s role in his country’s complicated qualifying journey.

Bafana Bafana were deducted three points and three goals for fielding an ineligible player against Lesotho.


Nigeria was one of the countries that protested and demanded that FIFA took necessary action.

However, Hugo Broos’ team eventually finished top of Group C, one point ahead of the Eagles.

“I heard you earlier saying that we (South Africa) will also root for Nigeria,” McKenzie said in an interview shared on X by South African journalist 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. I want them to lose.

“Nigeria must not go to the World Cup. Another African country must go.”

robosky02:
“I heard you earlier saying that we (South Africa) will also root for Nigeria,” McKenzie said in an interview shared on X by South African journalist 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. I want them to lose.

“Nigeria must not go to the World Cup. Another African country must go.”


Mynd44 mukina2 honeric01
https://dailypost.ng/2025/10/18/2026-wcq-super-eagles-must-not-qualify-south-africa-sports-minister-mckenzie/

GanagiBitrus:
N0nsense & Ingredients.

If the tables were to turn & it was Nigeria that fielded an ineligible player, would S/Africa not protest against Nigeria?

He should even be thankful to Nigeria that we didn't sabotage them by losing to Benin.

brain54:


No go dey bite your nose because you wan wicked your face o!

GanagiBitrus:
You think it was a mean feat beating high-flying Benin 4-0?
Did you ever imagine S/Eagles could do that?

They could easily have lost hope before the match & opted to sabotage S/Africa.

Even several Nigerians were saying S/Eagles should do that & allow Benin to qualify instead of S/Africa.

duduade:
Don’t worry the super chickens won’t qualify
We don’t even want them to qualify

Spainever:
Where is that done ? A country will play 7 games out 10 at home in a world cup qualifier

ARISHEM:
Do South Africa even deserve to be at the world cup

Obiedun:
With what Nigeria has done for the south Africa , I don't expect this kind of hatred from them. We really tried to make sure apartheid was removed and also for the release of Mandella. Today instead of being friendly to us the south Africans are hostile in many ways.