By Refilwe Sebola
SAFA Mopani Regional President Vincent Ramphao has publicly declared his support for Sandile Zungu in the race for the SAFA presidency, saying South African football needs fresh leadership.
Zungu is set to challenge incumbent SAFA president Danny Jordaan, who has led the association since 2013, at the SAFA elective congress on 12 September.
Ramphao, who also serves on the SAFA National Executive Committee (NEC), believes the time has come for a change at the helm of South African football.
“A good dancer knows when to leave the stage,” said Ramphao.
“We believe it is time for change. Sandile Zungu deserves an opportunity to unite and develop football in this country.”
Ramphao said he had repeatedly raised concerns and voiced his opinions within the current SAFA leadership but felt they had not been taken seriously.
“I have raised my concerns and voiced my opinions, but they did not get us anywhere. That is why I believe Sandile Zungu can change the state of football in South Africa,” he said.»
The Mopani football boss also dismissed suggestions that Zungu does not qualify to contest the presidency under the SAFA constitution.
One of the arguments raised against Zungu is that a presidential candidate must have served in SAFA structures for the required period before becoming eligible. Ramphao rejected that interpretation, saying Zungu has served within SAFA structures, including on the Remuneration Committee (REMCO), for about eight years.
Questions have also been raised over Zungu’s position as chairman of Betway Premiership club AmaZulu FC. Ramphao said the matter has already been addressed, adding that Zungu is prepared to step aside from his position at AmaZulu should the SAFA constitution require him to do so.
The relationship between club ownership and the SAFA presidency has surfaced before. Former Orlando Pirates chairman Dr Irvin Khoza’s ambition to lead SAFA was previously affected by constitutional provisions relating to club ownership and football governance.
Zungu’s campaign has gained momentum after SAFA vice-president Bennett Bailey withdrew from the presidential race to endorse the AmaZulu chairman. Bailey has publicly maintained that Zungu is eligible to stand because of his service on SAFA’s Remuneration Committee and said the campaign is receiving support from all nine provinces, although the level of support differs from province to province.
While many regions have yet to publicly declare their preferred candidate, Mopani has become one of the first regions in the country—and the first in Limpopo—to openly endorse Zungu’s bid for the SAFA presidency. No SAFA region has publicly declared its support for Danny Jordaan’s campaign, although the incumbent is widely believed to retain significant backing within the association.
The SAFA presidential election is expected to be one of the most closely contested in recent years as delegates decide who will lead South African football into its next chapter.