South African football legend Lucas Radebe says parliament demanding accountability from the South African Football Association (SAFA) was overdue, as he also believes it is time for a new leadership at the association.
SAFA appeared before the Portfolio Committee on Sport, Arts and Culture in parliament this month to answer to concerns about the FA’s governance and finances.
Among the Committee’s concerns were SAFA’s finances, issues of unequal salaries of national team coaches and lack of sponsorships. Radebe says it’s about time people see what’s happening at the association and how much it needs fresh minds.
The former Kaizer Chiefs and Bafana Bafana captain previously attempted to run for SAFA Presidency but had to drop out of the race, owing to the technicality that he has not served at local level.
The former Leeds United defender says incumbent SAFA President Dr Danny Jordan shouldn’t run for another term.
“I think it’s long overdue [that Danny leaves],” Radebe said.
“I mean it shows what’s been happening all along. But I believe that there is leaders out there. I think it’s all about giving people a chance. You know let’s get together, let’s see who can take it on.
“He [Danny Jordan] was not supposed to be there anyway. But obviously, them saying that they don’t see somebody who will succeed him at the moment. I mean it’s all politics.
“But I believe that there is a lot that we can do and there’s a lot that can be accomplished, especially with the level of football that we play, it shows where are we lacking. Leave the football on the field and stuff, but go upstairs, that’s where change needs to be.”
Radebe then added that hee’s still interested in running for office again and believes change is coming soon.
“I’ve always wanted to go back. I’ve always wanted to be part of South African football in a stage where we can make a difference and an impact. I mean we’ve served the country so long and vice versa.
“They’ve done us well to get us where we are. So why can’t you give us a chance to serve as well what we love most and try and get football to the level that it’s supposed to be at.
“I think the most important thing is us uniting as ex footballers, coming together and agreeing and share the same vision. I know there’s those technicalities about you have to be on the LFA and stuff like that but we are at the LFAs.
“But I think they’ll always find something just to lock the gates and lock us out, but I believe that it will happen, a change will happen and I think soon.”
