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 to 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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Football legends could support school programmes
Zungu also wants former players to join efforts to develop football at the school level. He said each legend could potentially be connected with a school, allowing former professionals to share their experience with young players and contribute to grassroots development.
“As we roll out schools soccer, we need all hands on deck. Every legend will have an opportunity to embrace and support a school,” he said.
“It's very important that we rely on legends to roll out the schools programme, so we will have to work with the legends to see what role they can play in that regard.”
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Zungu outlines Bafana Bafana role for legends
The SAFA presidential candidate also believes former stars could play a role around the national team by motivating the current generation of Bafana Bafana players.
Zungu referred to the experience of legends during the Atlanta era, saying some had previously been prevented from accessing the players.
“Even in terms of motivating the current crop of Bafana Bafana players. I know in Atlanta they were refused an opportunity to go motivate the players,” he said.
“I don't know if someone felt that they were going to take the glory away or take their shine, which is in my opinion very petty. Afford the legends an opportunity to have their presence felt.”
The proposal comes as Zungu prepares for Saturday’s vote, where he will attempt to unseat Jordaan and begin a new SAFA administration.
Overall, his promise places former players at the centre of his proposed approach to football development, from school programmes to the national team.
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
