Zungu Takes Aim at Jordaan in Safa Presidential Showdown

As the South African Football Association (Safa) gears up for its elective congress on September 12, the spotlight is firmly on the contest between incumbent president Danny Jordaan and AmaZulu owner Sandile Zungu. At 75, Jordaan remains a steadfast contender despite ongoing legal challenges, including a fraud case that has seen him embroiled in court since November 2024.

Jordaan, who has held the presidency since 2013, believes he is the best candidate to lead Safa into the future, dismissing his legal troubles as a politically motivated campaign against him. He asserts that the allegations are designed to undermine football sponsorships, stating, “The campaign against me is intended to drive away the sponsors. It’s a political and vicious campaign, but we will stand our ground.”

Meanwhile, Zungu, who would need to step down from his role at AmaZulu if he wins, is positioning himself as a reformer capable of revitalizing Safa. He points to the association's financial struggles, which were highlighted when the Department of Sport intervened to prevent employee layoffs during the festive season by providing a R5-million advance from Safa’s government grant.

“Our governance leaves much to be desired,” Zungu told the BBK Unplugged podcast, emphasizing the need for improved relationships with commercial partners and accountability within the organization. He believes that with the right changes, Safa could significantly enhance its funding and outreach, particularly at the grassroots level, which has suffered from a lack of resources.

Zungu's platform focuses on three main areas: enhancing governance, fostering commercial relationships, and ensuring financial support reaches grassroots soccer. He argues that trust issues between Safa and the business community must be addressed to unlock potential funding sources, particularly for women’s soccer and school-level football.

Adding to the intrigue, Bennett Bailey, one of Safa’s vice-presidents, initially considered running against Jordaan but has since endorsed Zungu. Bailey voiced concerns over Jordaan's leadership, stating, “What else can [Jordaan] bring into the organization? We need to look at bringing young and new people in for generational renewal.” He further criticized Jordaan’s long tenure, questioning the progress made by Safa during his presidency.

Safa has labeled Bailey's concerns about the election's integrity as hypocritical, noting his prior intentions to contest. The association asserts that the upcoming election will be fair and transparent, involving various stakeholders, including FIFA and the Confederation of African Football.

With Jordaan’s previous victories in Safa elections — where he secured 186 votes against his challengers in 2022 — the stage is set for a potentially pivotal moment in South African football. Will Zungu’s fresh vision resonate with the voting members, or will Jordaan's established presence prevail once more?

Source: www.dailymaverick.co.za