SAFA President Danny Jordan is seeking a fourth consecutive term at the upcoming SAFA Electoral Congress on September 12th.
Key Issues
The delay in appointing the next coach for the Bafana Bafana team and the failure to implement the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system are just the latest examples in a long list of reasons why the South African Football Association (SAFA) needs administrative reorganization.
Ahead of the September 12th elections, where incumbent President Danny Jordan faces a challenge from AmaZulu Chairman Sandile Zungu in the race for SAFA presidency, it is highly unfortunate that these issues force a dive into the politics of football administration.
When analyzing these matters, accusations of bias may arise, but one can only state their point of view: the upcoming elections must be the decisive moment to press the reset button on the administrative system of South African football.
The 74-year-old Jordan, who previously served as the General Manager of the 2010 Local Organizing Committee, is running for his fourth consecutive term as SAFA president. He has not conducted an active public campaign, as is not his usual practice, and is supported by the Football Transformation Forum (FTF), composed of 'respected' figures from 52 SAFA regions.
Members of the National Executive Committee representing these regions are the ones who vote. This puts Zungu in a difficult position, comparable to climbing an active volcano that, if it erupts, threatens not him, but South African football and its fans.
SAFA clarified on its website that 'regions, the Premier League as a special member, and Associate Members will vote on September 12, 2026.' SAFA invited various stakeholders to the Electoral Congress, including FIFA, CAF, COSAFA, SASCOC, Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture Gethon Mackenzie, Chairman of the Sports, Arts and Culture Portfolio Committee, and game legends, among others.
The 59-year-old Zungu also has the support of an organization called Save Our Safa (SOS), which brings together South African football legends and football-loving businessmen.
SAFA Vice President Ria Ledwaba, who also faced the repercussions of Jordan challenging the SAFA presidency in the previous electoral congress, is also reportedly in the SOS camp, supporting Zungu.
The September 12th elections represent not just a contest between two leaders, but a turning point capable of changing the trajectory of South African football development.
Zungu and SOS are promoting a reform agenda that includes increasing transparency and changes in SAFA governance. Zungu has openly stated that restoring trust and integrity in SAFA is central to his campaign, which earns him the support of the business community.
Some analysts have compared his candidacy to Patrice Motsepe's bid for CAF presidency, even highlighting both men's history as leaders of Black Business Councils at certain stages of their careers.
However, the main debate is not whether Zungu is suitable to replace Jordan, but rather that enough failures have occurred within SAFA to justify a change in leadership.
The two current issues—the delay in appointing the Bafana coach and the VAR scandal—are only part of the list of reasons why Jordan should step down as SAFA president.
The Bafana team remained without a coach for 31 consecutive days after Hugo Bruus' official end of service on July 31st. On August 8th, the Executive Committee approved the return of Pitso Mosimane, and like any other high-profile appointment, it was not without controversy. Since then, there has been a pause due to salary negotiations, and the coach is expected to be announced only on Tuesday, August 1st.
Acknowledging this, one cannot help but recall the energy spent by SAFA refuting media reports about Bruus' future when he gave an interview in Belgium stating he was leaving. Numerous statements followed from SAFA headquarters.
Perhaps this period and energy would have been better used negotiating a contract with the new coach, especially considering that Bruus had stated before AFCON 2025 that he would leave after the 2026 World Cup.
The VAR issue seems strange: how can a national sports federation remain inactive regarding a government grant of 20 million rand and fail to use it to implement such a necessary program?
This is astonishing, especially when we continue to observe officiating shortcomings, such as what happened during the second match of the MTN8 semi-final between African champions Mamelodi Sundowns and Lamontville Golden Arrows.
Thus, it is hoped that common sense will prevail at the electoral congress, and voters will move away from conformity towards the familiar SAFA, allowing a new one to be formed.