Former president of the Nigeria Football Federation, Amaju Melvin Pinnick has launched a scathing response to South Africa’s Sports Minister, Gayton McKenzie, after the latter publicly wished Nigeria failure in their 2026 World Cup playoff campaign, Soccernet.ng reports.
McKenzie had stirred controversy at the weekend when he appeared on Robert Marawa’s Marawa Sports Worldwide and declared that he wanted the Super Eagles to lose their playoff ties in Morocco next month.
His comments have been widely condemned across African football circles as inflammatory and unbecoming of a cabinet minister.
According to McKenzie:
“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.”
The South African minister’s remarks appear to be driven by anger over the deduction of three points from Bafana Bafana after FIFA found they had fielded an ineligible player, Teboho Mokoena, in a 2–0 victory over Lesotho in March.
The sanction dramatically changed the shape of Group C, allowing Benin and Nigeria to re-enter contention.
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Nigeria’s Pinnick responds to McKenzie’s comments
Pinnick, who also serves as the Deputy Chairperson of FIFA’s Men’s National Teams Competitions Committee, described McKenzie’s comments as irresponsible and unbecoming of a public official.
“If it is the wish of God that Nigeria should qualify for the World Cup, the South African sports minister’s careless statement cannot stop it from happening,” Pinnick told THISDAY.
“It is unfortunate to have someone like McKenzie appointed a minister in a developed, civilized country like South Africa. I know several people in South Africa who are knowledgeable in football matters who will not speak with such hatred like McKenzie.”
Pinnick added that McKenzie should learn to speak as a statesman, urging him to take a cue from Nigerian sports administrators who maintain decorum even in moments of frustration.
The FIFA ruling that sparked controversy
The fallout traces back to one of the most dramatic qualification twists in recent African football memory.
South Africa had topped Group C until FIFA’s ruling docked them three points and three goals. The decision, following protests from Benin and Nigeria, changed the group standings overnight.
As the final matches loomed, Benin faced Nigeria in Uyo while South Africa hosted Rwanda. If Benin had defeated Nigeria, they would have qualified automatically.
Instead, Nigeria’s emphatic 4–0 victory destroyed Benin’s hopes and, ironically, handed South Africa the group’s automatic qualification ticket after their 3–0 win over Rwanda.
Many South Africans saw that result as a gesture of goodwill from Nigeria but McKenzie has dismissed it as part of a conspiracy.
Pinnick: Why McKenzie is an ingrate
Pinnick reminded McKenzie that Nigeria faced a similar fate in 2018 when FIFA deducted three points for fielding ineligible defender Shehu Abdullahi during the World Cup qualifiers.
“FIFA deducted three points and three goals from Nigeria’s total points. We didn’t blame anyone because we knew we were at fault. NFF or our Sports Minister at the time didn’t blame anybody or country because we knew we were at fault,” Pinnick recalled.
He continued: “The South African Football Association (SAFA) I am sure are aware that it was their mistake and have owned up to the error. Why then should a sports minister decide to put the blame for the consequences on Nigeria?”
The former FIFA council member accused McKenzie of ingratitude, insisting that South Africa should be thankful to Nigeria for defeating Benin.
“I will rather say that this minister is an ingrate for not thanking Super Eagles for defeating Benin Republic in Uyo. He didn’t realize that if Benin had won or drawn the match in Uyo, South Africa will not be the beneficiary of the Group C direct qualification ticket for the World Cup,” Pinnick said.
Nigeria eye Morocco and Mexico
Nigeria advanced to the African playoffs as one of the four best runners-up and will face Gabon on 13 November in a one-legged semi-final in Morocco.
The winner will proceed to the final on 16 November, also in Morocco, to determine which side progresses to next year’s intercontinental playoffs in Mexico.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has confirmed that Cameroon will meet DR Congo in the other semi-final.
The two winners will fight for one of the remaining African spots in Mexico, where two tickets to the 2026 World Cup will be decided.
