Zungu Fires Back At SAFA Eligibility Whispers

South African Football Association (SAFA) presidential candidate Sandile Zungu is confident of securing a clean sweep of support from his home province of KwaZulu-Natal—the largest voting bloc in the country—ahead of the crucial 12 September electoral congress.

Zungu, who recently declared his ambition to vie for SAFA’s top job, stated that capturing the full backing of his home province remains a top priority for his campaign.

Insiders have informed Sportswire that of KZN’s 11 football regions, Zungu has already secured concrete backing from four: Amajuba, Umgungundlovu, Uthukela, and King Cetshwayo.

Despite the remaining seven regions yet to formally declare, the prominent businessman believes a total KZN consensus is inevitable by congress day.

“KwaZulu-Natal has 11 regions, and the Eastern Cape has eight; I think we are doing exceptionally well in both provinces,” Zungu said, who will contest with incumbent Danny Jordaan.

“I can understand why some people were not ready to pronounce their support immediately because my name entered the race fairly late. But they hear exactly what I’m saying. I’m highly confident that by the time we go to the congress, we will have all 11 KZN regions behind this campaign.

“It is going to take a lot of effort,” Zungu admitted. “But it is vital that when I step onto that victorious podium, I can look at my province and say, ‘You carried me.’

“Yes, I will be the president for the whole country, not just KZN, but it is always special to say your home backed you. We want KZN to be proud of what emerges on 12 September, without any reservations that they were on the losing side. It’s about building consensus, building momentum, and forging unity—the very unity that will be the hallmark of my presidency.”

SAFA Vice-President Bennet Bailey recently withdrew his own candidacy to join forces with Zungu, which heavily reinforces his administrative credibility.

Zungu’s campaign is formally driven by the “Save Our SAFA” (SOS) faction to directly unseat long-time incumbent Danny Jordaan.

The Race for the 52 Regions

Addressing the Constitutional Eligibility Debates

Zungu’s path to the presidency hasn’t been without friction. Whispers within football circles have questioned his legal eligibility to run, citing SAFA statutes that traditionally require a candidate to have served within a regional structures framework for at least 10 years.

Zungu, however, firmly dismissed those eligibility concerns, pointing to his long-standing administrative and institutional history within the association’s top structures. He also noted his ownership of AmaZulu FC since 2020, a club directly affiliated with the Premier Soccer League (PSL)—SAFA’s primary special member.

“I don’t know why they would say that,” Zungu said, addressing the pushback. “Here is a person who entered the football space some 14 years ago when I was invited to serve on SAFA’s remuneration committee, where I believe I made a lasting impression.

“Furthermore, when I bought AmaZulu, the club was languishing at the bottom of the log as perennial relegation contenders. Look at us now. Usuthu are well-entrenched in the top half of the league, having finished as high as second and fourth. The visible impact I’ve had on the growth and upward mobility of AmaZulu is known to everyone.

“So, I don’t think it is a legitimate concern,” Zungu concluded. “People are entitled to their alternative preferences, and that is fine. But the last thing they can do, with their hands on their hearts, is say Zungu is not suited for this position. I am more than suited.”