Sports Minister celebrates Nigeria’s World Cup playoff heartbreak

Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie is among those reveling in Nigeria’s World Cup playoff pain following the Super Eagles’ elimination by DR Congo on Sunday.

Nigeria lost the Africa World Cup playoff final on post-match penalties after the game had ended 1-1 in regulation an extra-time in Rabat, Morocco and as the West Africans are feeling heartbroken, McKenzie is celebrating.

They were busy digging a grave for @BafanaBafana instead of preparing adequately 🕺🏽🙏

— Gayton McKenzie (@GaytonMcK) November 17, 2025

“They were busy digging a grave for @BafanaBafana instead of preparing adequately,” McKenzie posted on social media in reference to Nigeria, while adding a celebration emoji.

Nigeria did Bafana World Cup qualification favour

McKenzie has maintained that Nigeria was behind the three-point deduction imposed on Bafana Bafana by FIFA in September which nearly cost South Africa a place at the 2026 World Cup although Hugo Broos’ men would make it through.

Ironically, it is Nigeria who did South Africa a big favour as they beat Benin in their final World Cup qualifier and helped Bafana Bafana seal a place at the tournament, while they clinched the playoff spot.

Nigeria thrashed Gabon 4-1 in the playoff semi-final on Thursday but they found it hard against Sebastien Desabre’s well-drilled Congolese side, who hardly gave them a sniff at goal, until the game went to penalties.

McKenzie blames Nigeria for points deduction

McKenzie’s celebration came one month since he sensationally claimed he wanted Nigeria to lose the playoffs and miss out on the World Cup for allegedly pushing FIFA to punish Bafana Bafana for fielding an ineligible player when the global football governing body seemed to have sidestepped the matter.

🔴 NAZOOOOOOOOOOO!!! 🔴

"I want Nigeria to lose!! They must NOT go to the #FIFAWorldCup "

"We have been embarrassed as a country…!!" (by SAFA).

Minister of Sports Arts and Culture @GaytonMcK LIVE ON #MSWOn947 calling for action to be taken regarding the "yellow card… pic.twitter.com/qbclG7eEbS

— robertmarawa (@robertmarawa) October 16, 2025

“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 in October.

“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.”