Former Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) president Amaju Pinnick has rebuked South Africa’s Minister of Sport, Gayton McKenzie, following his statement on the Super Eagles.
McKenzie publicly stated last week that he hoped Nigeria would fail in their 2026 World Cup playoff bid.
Nigeria was in a difficult situation in their bid to qualify for the World Cup after having a disappointing performance in their qualifying games.
However, the Super Eagles made the World Cup playoffs on the final day of the qualifiers after beating Benin Republic 4-0.
The controversy erupted when McKenzie made his feelings about the Super Eagles clear ahead of their crucial playoff matches in Morocco next month.
“I want to make it very clear: I wish for them not to qualify,” McKenzie declared. “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.”
Pinnick, who is also the Deputy Chairperson of FIFA’s Men’s National Teams Competitions Committee, slammed McKenzie’s comments as 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 reporters.
Nigeria advanced as one of the top group runners-up and is now headed to the African playoffs. They are scheduled to play Gabon in a single-leg semi-final match in Morocco on November 13.
