JOHANNESBURG – Danny Jordaan has been re-elected president of the South African Football Association (SAFA), defeating AmaZulu FC owner Sandile Zungu to secure a fourth term at the helm of South African football.
Jordaan won the closely watched SAFA presidential election with 157 votes against Zungu’s 82 at the association’s elective congress held at Vodaworld in Midrand on Saturday.
The result extends Jordaan’s leadership of SAFA, which began in 2013, despite Zungu mounting a campaign centred on change in how football is governed in South Africa.
Zungu, the Usuthu president and businessman, had entered the election confident he could unseat the long-serving football administrator. Among his commitments to the football fraternity, he pledged to support the introduction and implementation of Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology.
However, Jordaan’s support within SAFA’s structures proved decisive as the incumbent secured almost twice as many votes as his challenger.
Speaking to the media ahead of the SAFA presidential election, Zungu had argued that there needed to be a stronger relationship between the Premier Soccer League (PSL) and SAFA. He also promised to support Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture Gayton McKenzie in the implementation of VAR technology.
“I should have started by apologising to the minister, and the parliamentary committee on sports because what has happened in the last couple of weeks has been utter disrespect,” Zungu said, according to Sowetan Sport.
“If Minister McKenzie says, ‘I need to see VAR supported,’ and he gives money to SAFA, the least we could have done is to meet him halfway and put that money to good use.
“When we don’t communicate, and he is the one who is being held accountable in parliament over how that money was spent, he’s got the right to be angry. I apologise to the minister for that.
“I believe that we need to work with all the stakeholders, including the minister. We need to develop a strong relationship between SAFA and the PSL on implementation of VAR. If there is a poor relationship, it is the grass that suffers.”
The SAFA presidential election had also spilled into South Africa’s political space in the days leading up to the vote, with several politicians publicly declaring their preferred candidates.
African Transformation Movement (ATM) leader Vuyo Zungula had backed Zungu to take over the association. He was joined by MK Party MP Mzwanele Manyi in calling for new leadership and a new chapter for South African football.
“South African football cannot continue with business as usual. We need fresh leadership, stronger governance and a serious programme to rebuild football from the grassroots,” Zungula posted on X.
“Sandile Zungu has the experience, vision and leadership required to take SAFA into a new era. I support Sandile Zungu for SAFA president.”
African National Congress NEC member Andile Lungisa backed Jordaan, arguing ahead of the vote that the seasoned football administrator remained the best man for the job.
“We have been part of SAFA structures. We will never allow newcomers to take over our organisation. Our president is Danny Jordaan, and he will be elected on Saturday,” Lungisa said in a post on X.
“Zungu must focus on building AmaZulu FC to be a formidable team. We support Danny, and we have been part of SAFA development structures without fail.”
Jordaan’s victory now gives him another four-year mandate at the helm of the country’s football governing body and extends a presidency that began in 2013.
The election came amid intense debate over the future direction and governance of South African football. Zungu’s challenge had presented one of the most significant attempts in recent years to end Jordaan’s long-running leadership of the association.
Meanwhile, Fence Africa 24 previously reported that Jordaan and his co-accused, PR specialist Trevor Neethling, former SAFA CEO Russell Paul and SAFA chief financial officer Gronie Hluyo, are facing charges including fraud and theft.
The case relates to allegations involving the misuse of approximately R1.3 million in SAFA funds between 2014 and 2018. Jordaan and his co-accused have denied wrongdoing.
Jordaan was also accused of rape in 2017 by former singer and parliamentarian Jennifer Ferguson over an alleged incident dating back to 1994. He denied the allegation. The case was subsequently dropped after prosecutors said there was insufficient evidence to pursue a prosecution.
Zungu had also claimed before the election that some SAFA regions supported his presidential bid but were reluctant to publicly declare their backing because they feared victimisation. Ultimately, however, the ballot delivered a convincing victory for Jordaan.
With the election now decided, attention turns from the leadership contest to what Jordaan will deliver during his fourth term. Governance, the implementation of VAR, relations between SAFA and the PSL, grassroots development and the wider future of South African football remain among the issues facing his administration.
After 13 years at the helm, the ballot has given Jordaan another mandate. The challenge now is what South African football will look like when that mandate ends.
