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Former Nigeria Football Federation president Amaju Melvin Pinnick has criticised South Africa’s Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, for comments wishing the Super Eagles failure in next month’s World Cup playoffs, Footynaija.com reports.
McKenzie, speaking on Marawa Sports Worldwide at the weekend, declared: “I want Nigeria to lose. They must not go to the World Cup. Another African country must go.”
His remarks followed the deduction of three points from South Africa for fielding an ineligible player in a World Cup qualifier against Lesotho in March, a punishment he believes Nigeria influenced.
Pinnick, now FIFA’s Deputy Chairperson of the Men’s National Teams Competitions Committee, told THISDAY that McKenzie’s words were unbecoming of a government minister.
“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,” he said.
“It is unfortunate to have someone like McKenzie appointed a minister in a developed, civilised country like South Africa.”
He added: “SAFA President Dr Danny Jordaan is a respected football voice worldwide who will not go that route of hate. The CAF President, Dr Patrice Motsepe, who is my boss, is another fine gentleman deeply rooted in football. The South African sports minister should just shut up instead of embarrassing the country with his careless, unfounded statements against Nigeria.”
Pinnick recalled Nigeria faced similar punishment in 2018 when FIFA deducted three points for fielding Shehu Abdullahi against Algeria.
“We didn’t blame anyone because we knew we were at fault. Why then should a sports minister decide to put the blame for the consequences on Nigeria?” he queried, urging President Cyril Ramaphosa to reassess McKenzie’s place in his cabinet.
He also noted that South Africans should be grateful to Nigeria for beating Benin Republic in Uyo.
“If Benin had won or drawn that match, South Africa would not have picked the direct qualification ticket for the World Cup,” Pinnick said.
Nigeria face Gabon in Morocco on November 13 for a place in the intercontinental playoffs in Mexico next March, a tie McKenzie openly hopes the Super Eagles will lose.
