Danny Jordaan Defends SAFA Record After Beating Sandile Zungu in Presidential Elections

• Danny Jordaan has defended his record after securing another term at the helm of South African football
• The SAFA president pointed to a development area he believes has strengthened the country’s coaching pool
• Jordaan also highlighted a major Banyana Banyana milestone as evidence of progress under his leadership

Danny Jordaan has rejected claims that little has changed in South African football, arguing that his re-election shows that SAFA delegates recognise the work done during his tenure.

Jordaan was speaking to the media this week after defeating Sandile Zungu at the South African Football Association’s (SAFA) elective congress in Midrand on Saturday, 12 September. He received 157 votes to Zungu’s 82, securing a fourth consecutive term.

The veteran administrator faced questions about criticism of his leadership, particularly concerns around grassroots development and the association’s focus on the national teams.

Jordaan responded by pointing to the development of South African coaches and their growing opportunities elsewhere on the continent.

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South African coaches making their mark

According to KickOff, Jordaan said his work had helped coaches obtain professional qualifications and opened doors beyond South Africa.

“For the first time, you find South African coaches are now sought after in all African countries,” Jordaan said.

“We have coaches in Egypt, in Morocco, and these are two leading countries in the African continent.”

He also highlighted Banyana Banyana’s run at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, where South Africa reached the last 16.

“Banyana Banyana went to the last 16 in the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand. This is a massive achievement from where we started, from a zero base,” he said.

Why Jordaan believes delegates backed him

Jordaan argued that the election result reflected the views of people who understand SAFA’s structures and football development at regional level.

“So, when people talk... It is not true that nothing has happened in South African football,” he said.

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“Why are people still voting for these executives? It’s because they really study football, they are on the ground, they understand what is happening.”

The comments come after Jordaan secured a clear majority in the 12 September election. He will now begin another four-year term leading SAFA.

Sandile Zungu’s SAFA election response

Briefly News previously reported that Sandile Zungu had responded to his election loss with a message thanking those who backed his campaign.

The AmaZulu chairperson said he remained in “very high spirits” after the contest, while acknowledging that elections can produce both victories and defeats. He also indicated that he would take time to consider what comes next.

Source: Briefly News