As Nigerian football fans openly cheered Mexico’s 2‑0 victory over South Africa in the 2026 FIFA World Cup opener, a resurfaced video of South Africa’s Sports Minister, Gayton McKenzie, has reignited bitter continental tensions.
In a 2025 interview with Radio 947, McKenzie declared, “I wish for Nigeria not to qualify for the 2026 World Cup. They will not go. Another African country must go.” The remarks, initially triggered by a points deduction in World Cup qualifiers, have now come back to haunt South Africa as Nigerians – still smarting from deadly xenophobic attacks that forced over 260 citizens to evacuate – refused to back Bafana Bafana.
“Why should we support a country whose minister wished us out of the World Cup?” one Nigerian fan tweeted. “Now they want our cheers? So pained!”
McKenzie, a former gangster turned politician, has a history of inflammatory statements, including accusing Nigeria of using “juju” in matches. His old curse, now viral, has turned the football rivalry into a diplomatic firestorm.
Neither McKenzie nor the South African government has apologised for the remarks. As Nigerians return home fleeing violence, the sports minister’s words ring louder than ever.
