FIFA official slams SA sports minister: ‘He should just shut up’

Former Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) president and current FIFA official, Melvin Pinnick, has launched a scathing attack on South Africa’s Sports Minister, Gayton McKenzie, telling him to “just shut up” following McKenzie’s controversial remarks about the Super Eagles.

The row erupted after Minister McKenzie publicly expressed that he did not want the Nigerian national team, the Super Eagles, to qualify for the upcoming FIFA World Cup. His comments were made shortly after Bafana Bafana secured their own spot at the 2026 tournament in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Nigeria is set to compete in the qualification play-offs against Gabon, Cameroon, and DR Congo.

McKenzie’s statement, viewed by many Nigerians as hostile, has drawn sharp rebuke from influential figures in Nigerian football.

Pinnick Accuses Minister McKenzie of Ingratitude

Pinnick, a former NFF boss, insisted that McKenzie should be showing gratitude to Nigeria, not hostility, arguing that a Nigerian victory directly paved the way for South Africa’s qualification.

“The South African Sports Minister should just shut up instead of embarrassing the country with his careless, unfounded statements against Nigeria,” Pinnick stated, as quoted by Thisday Live.

Pinnick specifically referenced a Nigerian win during the qualifying campaign that was crucial to the Group C standings. “I will rather say that this minister is an ingrate for not thanking Super Eagles for defeating Benin Republic in Uyo,” he said. “He didn’t realise that if Benin had won or drawn the match in Uyo, South Africa would not be the beneficiary of the Group C direct qualification ticket for the World Cup.”

Deflecting Blame for FIFA Deduction

Pinnick also weighed in on the issue of the points deduction that affected Bafana Bafana during the qualification process, stressing that Nigeria never blamed South Africa for their own past disciplinary issues.

“FIFA deducted three points and three goals from Nigeria’s total points. We didn’t blame anyone because we knew we were at fault,” Pinnick recalled. “The South African Football Association (SAFA), I am sure, are aware that it was their mistake and have owned up to the error. Why then should a Sports Minister decide to put the blame for the consequences on Nigeria?”

The escalating war of words between the prominent official and the South African Minister highlights the often-intense rivalry and underlying tensions between the two African football powerhouses.