Former FIFA Council Member Amaju Melvin Pinnick has fired back at South Africa’s Sports Minister, Gayton McKenzie, for wishing Nigeria failure in next month’s World Cup playoffs, describing his comments as “reckless” and “unbecoming of a public official.”
McKenzie, speaking on Marawa Sports Worldwide over the weekend, declared, “I want Nigeria to lose. They must not go to the World Cup,” blaming Nigeria for South Africa’s three-point deduction after fielding an ineligible player against Lesotho in March.
In response, Pinnick, who serves as Deputy Chairperson of FIFA’s Men’s National Teams Competitions Committee, said McKenzie’s remarks lack the decorum expected of a minister from a developed nation.
“It is unfortunate to have someone like McKenzie appointed a minister in a civilized country like South Africa,” Pinnick told THISDAY.
“People like SAFA President Dr. Danny Jordaan and CAF President Dr. Patrice Motsepe understand football and would never speak with such hate. The minister should shut up instead of embarrassing South Africa.”
‘Nigeria once took it’s punishment without blame’
Pinnick reminded McKenzie that Nigeria had faced similar sanctions in 2018 when FIFA deducted points for fielding an ineligible player against Algeria.
“We didn’t blame anyone because we knew we were at fault,” he said. “SAFA understands their mistake and owned up to it. So why should a minister now shift blame to Nigeria?”
He also urged South African President Cyril Ramaphosa to reconsider McKenzie’s place in government, describing his attitude as “damaging to diplomacy and sportsmanship.”
‘Be grateful to Super Eagles’
Pinnick further argued that South Africans should be thankful to Nigeria, as the Super Eagles’ victory over Benin Republic in Uyo ensured that South Africa secured direct qualification from Group C.
“If Benin had won or drawn in Uyo, it would have been them, not South Africa, picking the World Cup ticket,” he said.
Nigeria set for playoff battle
Nigeria advanced to the African playoffs as one of the four best-ranked runners-up and will face Gabon on November 13 in Morocco for a place in the intercontinental playoffs in Mexico next March.
McKenzie, however, has openly backed Gabon’s Panthers, saying he wants Nigeria to “pay” for Bafana Bafana’s sanction, a stance Pinnick has described as “petty and disgraceful.”
