Danny Jordaan was elected as the new South African Football Association president at the general congress held in Helderfontein in Johannesburg on Saturday.
Jordaan received 32 of 52 nominees from SAFA regions and 162 votes while his opposition Mandla ‘Shoes’ Mazibuko had 30 nominees and 88 votes. Mazibuko replaced Dr Irvin Khoza, who pulled out of the election due to SAFA rules that found him ineligible for the position of presidency as he was part of the South African administration and Chairman of Premier Soccer League club Orlando Pirates.
The elections were delayed due to the presentation of regions. They were scheduled to start at 10am but got underway at 4pm. The delay was caused by two SAFA regions, Xhariep and Sisonke, as there were disputes around the selection of Regional delegates. This matter had to be settled in the Johannesburg South Court and was dismissed and sent to Sascoc.
The 62-year-old who led South Africa’s bid for the 2010 FIFA World cup replaces Kirsten Nematandana, who failed to secure a nominee for the presidential race.
Jordaan was the favourite to win the election as he has played a huge role in developing South African football. He also led an unsuccessful bid to host the 2006 World Cup, which Germany won.
The Port Elizabeth resident faces a tough task in improving the country’s development in football and cleaning up the SAFA administration as there have been allegations of match-fixing during the friendly games played before the world cup, which was led by former president Nematandani at the time.
He is also expected to improve the national team’s performances when it comes to qualifying for big tournaments.
One of the biggest decisions that Jordaan faces is to whether he keeps or sacks the Bafana Bafana coach Gordon Igesund, who failed to meet his mandate of reaching the semi-finals of the African Cup of Nation (AFCON) and qualifying for the next year’s World Cup in Brazil.
Jordaan’s term as president ends in 2017.
Siyavuya Mzantsi
The Catalyst 