Sandile Zungu Promises SA Football Legends Key Role If He Wins SAFA Presidency
- Sandile Zungu has outlined a bigger role for South African football legends if he wins the SAFA presidency
- The AmaZulu chairman wants former stars involved in the development of young players across the country
- Zungu has also proposed opportunities for legends to connect with the current Bafana Bafana generation
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Sandile Zungu has made a commitment to South African football legends ahead of Saturday’s SAFA elective congress, saying former stars should have a meaningful role in the game if he becomes president.
Zungu is challenging incumbent Danny Jordaan for the SAFA presidency at the congress on 12 September 2026. He said legends who helped shape South African football should be recognised and given opportunities to contribute to its future.
“Let's start with affirming the legends. These legends once played at the top level and, some for an extended period of time, became household names,” Zungu said this week as reported by Soccer Laduma.
“They are the ones that made us dream about our future roles in soccer because we were inspired by them. At the very least, keep them warm and make them feel important because this is the industry where they have given their all.”
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Zungu plans bigger role for legends in school football
Zungu wants former players to play a more active role in developing school football across South Africa, with legends potentially being linked to individual schools.
The plan would allow them to share their experience with young players while supporting the rollout of the schools programme. Zungu said SAFA would work with the legends to identify suitable roles for them within the initiative.
His proposal would give retired stars a chance to stay involved in football while helping nurture the next generation of players at the grassroots level.
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Zungu outlines Bafana Bafana role for legends
Zungu’s plans for former football stars would not stop at grassroots development. He also wants SAFA to create opportunities for legends to engage with the national team and share their experience with the current Bafana Bafana squad.
The presidential hopeful pointed to the World Cup game in Atlanta as an example of legends being kept away from players despite their connection to the national team. He said former stars should be allowed to make their presence felt rather than being excluded from the team environment.
“Afford the legends an opportunity to have their presence felt,” Zungu said.
His proposal forms part of a wider vision in which retired players could contribute to South African football beyond their playing careers. That would include supporting schools programmes and potentially offering guidance and motivation to players representing Bafana Bafana.
With the SAFA election taking place on Saturday, 12 September, Zungu is seeking to replace incumbent Danny Jordaan and implement his proposed approach to the federation.
The role he envisages for legends would therefore extend from developing young talent at schools to maintaining a connection between former national team players and the current generation.
SAFA rules controversy emerges before presidential election
Briefly News previously reported that SAFA faced fresh controversy days before the presidential election after questions were raised about wording in an information pack sent to members.
The dispute prompted allegations of constitutional changes, while CEO Lydia Monyepao later acknowledged that an older version of the rules had mistakenly been included. Her explanation came as Danny Jordaan and Sandile Zungu prepared for Saturday’s crucial vote.
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Source: Briefly News
