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The SAFA election showdown

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Danny Jordaan (Gallo Images)
Danny Jordaan (Gallo Images)

Johannesburg - The race for the post as the president of the SA Football Association (SAFA) is set to be a face-off between former national executive committee members and the incumbent, Danny Jordaan.

This is after former national executive committee member Nakedi Lekota threw his hat in the ring for the presidency.

Lekota is the third person to avail himself for the position.

Jordaan, who is backed by more than 35 regions that are aligned to the Football Transformation Forum, also faces a challenge from politician-turned-businessman Tokyo Sexwale.

The former Gauteng premier’s name was put forward by the National Football Consultative Forum (NFCF) this week.

The forum is made up of former committee members Chief Mwelo Nonkonyana, Xolani Mtumtum, Fanyana Sibanyoni, Alpha Mchunu and Mandla “Shoes” Mazibuko, who lost their seats in the 2013 elections.

Former referee Ace Ncobo and former Bafana Bafana captain Lucas Radebe have also made the forum’s list.

Nonkonyana, who until this week was the sole challenger to Jordaan’s reign, said he would throw his weight behind Sexwale.

However, Sexwale’s candidacy was cast in doubt after SAFA declared he was not eligible according to its constitution as he does not serve in any of the mother body’s structures.

Nonkonyana has threatened legal action if Sexwale is declared unfit to stand.

“The constitution of SAFA is clear that anybody can contest as long as that person is involved in football.

“If they (SAFA) think they have a leg to stand on, then they will be flattened. The contribution of Sexwale is unquestionable. He is a FIFA committee member and at some point also sponsored the National First Division through his company, Mvelaphanda Group. This is a ploy and SAFA cannot only stand on this one leg,” said Nonkonyana.

“We (the NFCF) have read the SAFA statutes. As you know, I am the one who was tasked by FIFA when they wanted all federations to adopt new statutes. Members are entitled to nominate the candidate of their choice. The regulations are electoral and they say people who are in football are eligible.”

SAFA released a strongly worded statement on Friday, saying it has instructed its attorneys to send a letter of demand to the NFCF to desist from disseminating false‚ malicious and untrue information about the association.

According to the statement, the forum is driven by individuals including Nonkonyana‚ Mazibuko‚ Mtumtum and Sibanyoni among others. These individuals have no standing in football because they are not eligible to stand for any position within SAFA structures. They are not registered as SAFA officials‚ players or referees.

Lekota said there would be no issues with his eligibility because he was a member in good standing by virtue of belonging to the Capricorn region of SAFA.

“I have been there and I know what it takes to change our fortunes,” said Lekota, who served in the executive committee from 2005 to 2009.

“I have already started campaigning and I’m positive of getting enough votes,” he added.

Meanwhile, Nonkonyana’s court bid to have his dismissal from SAFA reversed was postponed by the Johannesburg High Court on Friday.

The judge concluded that the matter, “which is plainly of national interest and in the interests of soccer in our country, must regrettably be postponed. It was not properly re-enrolled.”

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