TS Galaxy chief backs Zungu for SAFA presidency and warns against ‘regression’ in South African football

TS Galaxy chairman Tim Sukazi has thrown his weight behind AmaZulu owner Sandile Zungu’s bid to become the next South African Football Association (SAFA) president, warning that the country’s football risks “regressing” if bold leadership changes are not made.

Speaking to reporters at the weekend, Sukazi praised outgoing national team coach Hugo Broos for restoring Bafana Bafana’s competitive edge, but argued that the time had come for new direction at the top of the game.

Call for ‘bold move’ at SAFA

Sukazi said he firmly supports Zungu’s candidacy and suggested that SAFA needs fresh leadership to build on recent successes and avoid sliding backwards.

“Obviously SAFA is an umbrella body that is responsible for our national teams. I watched our national team and saw how we played there at the World Cup and I’ve seen how we played towards qualifying for the World Cup. Probably I’ve got my own views. Whether or not they are relevant or are of any help, I don’t know. The direction that our national team has taken, I’d say credit to the previous coach Broos. I think he has done a splendid job by qualifying the country in various international competitions, such as two AFCONs and now the World Cup. So, he has taken us back to the days where qualifying for AFCON and probably the World Cup has become standard,” Sukazi told media over the weekend.

He added that despite progress, recent performances had underlined how fragile those gains remain.

“We seem to be back there, but you will agree with me that the game against Mexico took us back 16 years. That one game almost messed us up in a big way. Other people look at it as if it was for the first time. We were eliminated by Cameroon (at AFCON), playing the same formation. So, this time round in that particular match it was costly, but we redeemed ourselves.”

Broos’ player comments under scrutiny

While outlining why he believes Zungu should lead SAFA, Sukazi also took issue with some of Broos’ public assessments of South African players moving abroad – particularly Mbekezeli Mbokazi, who has impressed in Major League Soccer, and young star Relebohile Mofokeng, now bound for Belgium.

“I think you know that Rele was not in the plans to play from what I saw. Probably it’s God’s intervention. The red card of Themba Zwane gave Rele the opportunity. He was taken there to learn. It’s the same coach Broos, who when Mbokazi left for the USA, he said the league is poor and whatnot. You remember that? He said he should have moved to better leagues, but who was our best player at the World Cup? Playing in what league? Sometimes we must be truthful. He (Broos) has already made pronouncements that Rele is weak, he must be strong, he won’t play in sixth months. Probably influencing the mind probably of his next club. We must listen to these conversations and try to establish the real issue here and counter those arguments. If Mr Zungu gets the opportunity to lead our national Association, maybe he can talk strictly about our national teams.”

Mbokazi has become a standout performer in MLS, while Mofokeng’s emergence at the World Cup followed a suspension to veteran playmaker Themba Zwane, giving the teenager an unexpected chance to shine.

Praise for Jordaan – but ‘time for the next move’

Despite his criticism of certain aspects of the current setup, Sukazi made a point of acknowledging SAFA president Danny Jordaan and his administration for appointing Broos and backing the national team’s revival.

“At the same time, it’s the same Association that brought us Broos and he did a fantastic job. We must be grateful to the president Danny Jordaan and his team for what they have done. But, in football, it’s time for the next move. It’s either we take that bold move or we will regress. So, it’s a very crucial moment right now.”

Sukazi’s intervention underscores growing debate within South African football over succession at SAFA, the direction of the national teams, and how best to manage and promote local talent moving to foreign leagues.