Gayton McKenzie – I don’t favour football over the other federations
24th February 2026
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Minister of Sports, Arts, and Culture Gayton McKenzie has rejected claims that he favours football above other sporting codes in the country.
The minister recently allocated R5 million to the South African Football Association to assist with salary payments for Banyana Banyana, and also confirmed financial backing for Bafana Bafana ahead of their international friendly matches against Panama national football team.
In addition, he has committed further funding to support Banyana’s preparations for the upcoming Women's Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.
Despite this, McKenzie has dismissed suggestions that he gives football preferential treatment, describing such claims as hogwash.
"My brother, rugby is an example of how federations should be run. We help all federations, there's no federation that can say we don't help them, soccer is the sport of the majority, that's why you see soccer is more prominent,” McKenzie said.
“80% of the questions you asked me here were about soccer, if you look at sport, the majority of people watch football so it just happens that football might look like it is the only one getting attention. No, it is not, all federations are getting help."
Bafana Bafana are scheduled to play two international friendlies against Panama between 27 and 31 March as part of their build-up to the 2026 FIFA World Cup. McKenzie confirmed to SABC Sport that he paid undisclosed millions to ensure the fixtures take place.
However, he stressed that the move is not about favouring football, but about giving the national team quality international opposition as they prepare for the global showpiece, rather than limiting them to matches against neighbouring countries.
"100% they are gonna get massive support from me, you know we have paid for Bafana Bafana to play against Panama. We can't just play against local people, when we complain to SAFA 'Why you only play against local teams', they tell us there's no money,” the minister added.
“So, we said we'll pay, get an international team. They go to Panama, number 30 in the world rankings. So, Panama is coming, we've paid that money for Panama. You know we gave SAFA money and they managed to show us what they did with the money, now we are taking them step by step and we do that with all the federations."
