Re-elected South African Football Association (SAFA) president Danny Jordaan has insisted he does not appoint himself to the top post, adding that the association’s leadership remains subject to democratic processes.
Jordaan retained his position by securing 157 of the votes cast, defeating AmaZulu president Sandile Zungu, who earned 82. The outcome of the tightly contested national elective congress at Vodacom World in Midrand earns Jordaan a fourth term, extending his leadership at the helm of SAFA through 2030.
“Well, first of all, I don’t appoint myself in SAFA, even if you think that way. SAFA is a democratic organisation, so tomorrow they can have a vote of no confidence in me, saying I’m out,” Jordaan said.
SAFA National Executive Committee (NEC) members, including Takiso Modipa, strongly backed the incumbent, maintaining that leadership should not come from outside the association—and especially not from its professional wing, the Premier Soccer League (PSL).
Addressing the transition process, Jordaan noted: ““I can decide I want to go. In their discussions, they can say no, give us a little more time because we want the next transition. But one of the things we must have is that we cannot have somebody who comes in and starts from day one,” Jordaan added.
“In terms of placing South Africa in a global context, you must really ask them [the SAFA National Executive Committee, regions, associate and special members] why I’m always here.”
Jordaan also dismissed concerns over the absence of a long-term plan following his tenure.
“We are hosting a workshop with FIFA to work on Vision 2030,” said the former 2010 FIFA World Cup CEO. “Football operates in four-year cycles from one World Cup to the next. We just concluded the 2026 World Cup in Canada, Mexico, and the United States, and the next tournament moves to Morocco, Portugal, and Spain in 2030. That is our target window.”
He added that the strategic framework will be finalized in collaboration with key stakeholders.
“The key targets will be mapped out together with FIFA and the incoming NEC,” Jordaan concluded.
“We will hold comprehensive discussions by the end of this month or early next month covering school sports, women’s football, and all core development elements. I don’t want to pre-empt the details because this is SAFA’s collective vision, not just my own, and the members are actively contributing.”
