The South African Football Association has responded to the talks that former Bafana Bafana captain Lucas Radebe is keen to take over in the future as the association’s president.
Radebe, who was part of the Bafana side that won the Africa Cup of Nations in 1996 on home soil, has reportedly been left baffled by the bureaucracy to get elected, asking why it has to be used when he played for the national team at the highest level, including scoring in the FIFA World Cup group stages in 2002, the last time Bafana qualified for the tournament.
But SAFA has hit back at Radebe’s claim, saying Jordaan was voted into the office for the third time in June last year after regions, NEC, and associated members – and the next election is only in 2026.
“We have noted a series of articles in Sunday newspapers indicating that former Bafana Bafana captain Lucas Radebe is going to be President of the South African Football Association (SAFA),” said SAFA in a statement.
“1. It must be noted that the SAFA election was held in 2022 for four (4) years, making the next election due in 2026.
“2. It needs to be noted that, unlike the USA election, SAFA elections do not vote for a President only. The election is for President, National, and Provincial members, elections are for all NEC positions.
“3. The voters are the 52 Regions and Associate members. 4. Any person who hopes to be a President must be nominated by any of the constituent groups and must pass the integrity test.
“We are not just voting for the President. 5. the Governance Committee will then publish the list of eligible candidates. 6. In the meantime, we are focused on delivering football programs as per our mandate and this includes; 6.1 Bafana preparation for AFCON and qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
“6.2 Banyana qualification for WAFCON and qualification for 2024 Paris Olympics. 6.3 Training of men and women coaches for C License up to A License.
“6.4 Preparation for Schools Football CAF Championship 6.5 ABC Motsepe League 6.6 SASOL League promotion Hollywood Bet final matches and Awards 6.7 U15 National Team preparations.
“6.8 Junior teams’ preparation and development 6.9 Referees training 6.10 Schools Competition Academies Etc.
“The point we are making is that we are busy with football, and we will not entertain trivial distractions.”
When Jordaan won the election with 186 votes, which was a landslide against Ria Ledwaba (27) and SAFA Tshwane president Solly Mohlabeng (eight), he said at the electoral congress at the Sandton Convention Centre on 25 June 2022 that this was his last term in office, which has occupied since 2013.
