Share

Jordaan gets SAFA top job

Johannesburg - Danny Jordaan has been elected as the new South African Football Association (SAFA) president at the organisation's elective congress at Helderfontein Estate in Midrand on Saturday.

Jordaan beat Mandla "Shoes" Mazibuko to the top spot and would replace outgoing president Kirsten Nematandani.

Jordaan garnered 162 votes to the 88 Mazibuko received from the 52 regions.

Chief Mwelo Nonkonyana, Lucas Nhlapo and Elvis Shishana were elected as the three vice-presidents from the five nominated.

"It was a tremendous day for South African football," Jordaan said after the results had been announced.

"I'm very happy I've been give the honour and have accepted gratefully."

Jordaan served as SAFA CEO from 1997 to 2004 and was largely responsible for South Africa's bids for the 2006 and 2010 World Cup finals.

Jordaan said the SAFA elective would work together under his leadership and avoid in-fighting between groups.

"This is a SAFA election, not an election of one group or another.

"All the executive members are elected, so all those people are not in football by chance.

"They have earned their place.

"The SAFA executive will serve South African football."

Jordaan said he hoped to improve the coaching situation in South Africa, firstly by increasing their numbers and also improving their qualifications.

"We have almost 2000 players per coach.

"Let's look at education -- you have 2000 kids in the classroom and the teacher has the lowest qualification, then you expect the students to be the best.

"It doesn't work like that."

The development of South African football had to change radically, according to Jordaan.

"The challenge for all of us is the development and reconstruction of South African football.

“Many say we are a football nation but I say we are not.

"Germany is playing 80 000 junior matches over a weekend.

"Spain is playing 30 000.

"France is playing 40 000.

"If you find 3000 matches in South Africa you're doing well.

"So that's the problem. We have to get the junior leagues going."

In the run-up to the elections, Jordaan, 62, had spoken about rebuilding South African soccer from 'grass roots level' in his bid to restore the image of SAFA.

Mazibuko had been a supporter of Orlando Pirates boss Irvin Khoza, who had been considered a powerful candidate to contest the election.

Khoza, however, was ruled ineligible after the disclosure of a resolution in the SAFA constitution which prevented a club owner from becoming president of the national body.

Mazibuko was then nominated to oppose Jordaan but the president of the SA Schools Football Association was unable to garner enough support for the top position in SAFA.

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
Should Siya Kolisi keep the captaincy as the Springboks build towards their World Cup title defence in 2027?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
Yes! Siya will only be 36 at the next World Cup. He can make it!
26% - 1273 votes
No! I think the smart thing to do is start again with a younger skipper ...
29% - 1470 votes
I'd keep Siya captain for now, but look to have someone else for 2027.
45% - 2246 votes
Vote
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE