Delayed coaches and unused millions: Reasons why Danny Jordaan should go

SAFA president Danny Jordaan is looking for a consecutive fourth term in office in the upcoming Safa Etelective Congress on September 12.

THE delay in the appointment of the next Bafana Bafana coach and the non-implementation of Video Assistant Refereeing (VAR) are the latest chapters in a long list of reasons why the South African Football Association (Safa) needs an administrative overhaul .

With the South African Football Association (SAFA) heading for its elective congress on September 12 , where incumbent Danny Jordaan is challenged by AmaZulu chairperson Sandile Zungu in the Safa presidency race , it is unfortunate that these matters are dragging us forcefully into the politics of football administration.

As we weigh in on these matters, we’re sure to be accused of taking sides, but what can we do? Nothing, except state our two cents' worth boldly: the upcoming elections should be seen as a crucial moment to press that much-needed reset button in South African football administration.

The 74-year-old Jordaan, CEO of the 2010 Local Organising Committee, is going for his fourth consecutive term as Safa president. He has not done much public campaigning — he rarely ever does, as he is backed by the Football Transformation Forum (FTF), which is made up of “respected” figures from the 52 SAFA regions.

The National Executive Committee members coming out of those regions, and they are the ones who vote . That right there leaves Zungu with an uphill battle akin to climbing an active volcano — only, when it erupts , it won’t be in his face, but that of South African football and its lovers.

" The voting members on September 12, 2026 will be the regions , the Premier Soccer League as the Special Member and Associate Members. SAFA has invited various stakeholders to the Elective Congress, including FIFA, CAF, COSAFA, SASCOC, Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture Gayton McKenzie, the chairman of the Portfolio Committee on Sport, Arts and Culture and legends of the game, among others," SAFA specified on their website.

The 59-year-old Zungu is himself backed by an organisation called Save Our Safa (SOS), which consists of South African football legends and football-loving businesspeople .

Safa deputy president Ria Ledwaba, who also suffered the consequences of challenging Jordaan for the Safa presidency in the previous elective congress, is also reported to be in the SOS camp backing Zungu.

The elections on September 12 are not simply a contest between two individual leaders, but a pivotal event that carries the potential to reset South African football.

Jordaan and the FTF argue for continuity, regional representation, and stability .

Zungu and SOS are campaigning on a reform agenda that includes greater transparency and changes to the way SAFA is administered.