‘I want them to lose’ – Sports Minister wishes doom for Nigeria despite big favour for Bafana

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‘I want them to lose’ – Sports Minister wishes doom for Nigeria despite big favour for Bafana
GAROUA, CAMEROON - JANUARY 23: Wilfred Ndidi, Joseph Aribo and Kenneth Omeruo of Nigeria during the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations match between Nigeria and Tunisia at Stade Roumde Adjia on January 23, 2022 in Garoua, Cameroon. PHOTO CAPTION MUST READ Photo by Imago/Shengolpixs/Tobi Adepoju Copyright: xx

Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie has stoked up the fire after declaring that he wishes Nigeria failure in their World Cup playoffs.

The Super Eagles did Bafana Bafana a great favour when they helped them qualify for the 2026 World Cup as they beat Benin with South Africa winning against Rwanda to seal their ticket.

Nigeria finished second in their group to clinch one of the four playoff slots and as they prepare for the tough road ahead, McKenzie does not wish them success.

The Sports Minister feels Nigeria were behind the three-point deduction imposed on Bafana Bafana for fielding Teboho Mokoena against Lesotho when they played Lesotho since FIFA seemed to have ignored the matter only to look into it six months later.

Gayton McKenzie wishes doom for Nigeria

“I wish them not to qualify. I knew what they did behind the scenes for us not to get there,” McKenzie said on Marawa Sports Worldwide.

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

“I give the energy you give. They don’t like us, we don’t like them and that is soccer, and it is not personal. It is like Chiefs and Pirates, they do not like each other but it is not personal.”

McKenzie is in awe of the work done by coach Hugo Broos and his team and feels they need more support but has hit out at SAFA for not punishing those responsible for the administrative saga.

Sports Minister keen to see heads roll at SAFA

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“These boys did not just qualify, they qualified facing the biggest mistake ever done in our country. They had to overcome a double breach and then it was out of their hands,” he added.

“We have been embarrassed as a country, we come across as a country who do not understand the rules of FIFA. We come across as a country that wanted to cheat our way to the World Cup.

“All those things, in fact, I am writing a letter to SAFA to say withdraw your appeal because they appealed.”

SAFA boss Danny Jordaan has confirmed that no one will be punished over the administrative anomaly but McKenzie is not letting up.

“Under my ministry, this matter will not be swept under the carpet,” he further said. 

<!-- Author Start -->Joel Oliver<!-- Author End -->

Joel Oliver

Author

Joel Oliver is a seasoned multimedia sports journalist with a rich background in covering diverse football stories and events in South Africa and beyond.
His extensive coverage spans subjects touching on the PSL, with a focus on the Big Three (Orlando Pirates, Kaizer Chiefs & Mamelodi Sundowns), Bafana Bafana and Banyana Banyana.

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