CAF to oversee SAFA presidential vote to ensure ‘legal and ethical’ process, says Motsepe

CAF president Patrice Motsepe says African and global football’s governing bodies will supervise September’s South African Football Association (SAFA) elections to ensure the presidential contest between Danny Jordaan and Sandile Zungu is conducted “in a manner that’s legal and ethical”.

Speaking at a press conference in Sandton, Johannesburg, on Wednesday, Motsepe stressed that both CAF and FIFA would be present during the vote, which will decide whether incumbent Jordaan secures a fourth term or whether challenger Zungu takes over the leadership of South African football.

Motsepe underlined that CAF’s role would be limited to guaranteeing that the electoral process complies with established rules, rather than influencing who becomes SAFA president.

“It’s very clear. We have to keep South African football united, both within SAFA as well as the relationship between SAFA and the PSL. It’s very important,” he said.

“CAF as well as FIFA, will be there to support, to make sure that the processes are in compliance with the CAF and FIFA statutes and regulations. What the president of CAF cannot do is ‘I like Lux, but I don’t like John’. You don’t do that.”

CAF ‘impartial’ in Jordaan–Zungu contest

Jordaan is seeking to extend his long tenure at the helm of SAFA, while businessman Zungu has entered the race promising new ideas to drive the national game forward. Motsepe, however, was adamant that personal relationships would not sway CAF’s stance.

Referring to his experience in other African federations, Motsepe pointed to a previous dispute in Cote d’Ivoire involving former international Didier Drogba’s bid to lead the national football league.

“I had the same problem in Cote d’Ivoire when (Didier) Drogba wanted to stand to be the president of the football league. I like Drogba; he made us proud, as much as I like (Samuel) Eto’o. But I had to tell a meeting where there were many people that my job is to support and make sure it’s done in a manner that’s legal and ethical and to make sure that the candidate that wins enjoys the support of football in the country,” he said.

Motsepe also highlighted his long-standing personal knowledge of both SAFA presidential hopefuls, while insisting that this would not affect CAF’s neutrality.

“I know Danny. I know Sandile. Sandile was my secretary when I was president of black business. Danny will phone me and say whatever he likes. Sandile will phone me and say whatever he likes. But there’s a clear understanding that as the president of CAF, I have to maintain a position of impartiality.”

Unity between SAFA and PSL ‘very important’

Motsepe repeatedly returned to the theme of unity, stressing the importance of a constructive relationship not only inside SAFA but also between SAFA and the Premier Soccer League (PSL).

He framed CAF’s presence at the elections as part of a broader responsibility to encourage stability and good governance in member associations, while remaining within the boundaries of CAF and FIFA’s regulatory frameworks.

The SAFA elections are scheduled for September, with the outcome likely to shape the direction of South African football governance over the coming years. Jordaan, first elected in 2013, is “hellbent” on securing a fourth term, while Zungu has positioned himself as the figure to “bring in fresh ideas to take the country to new heights”.

Motsepe did not comment on specific policy proposals from either candidate, reiterating that CAF’s involvement would focus solely on process rather than personalities.

Motsepe to attend Jayden Adams funeral

Away from electoral matters, Motsepe confirmed that he will attend the funeral of Jayden Adams this weekend.

Without providing further details at the briefing, the CAF president stated that he would be present at the service, underlining his support for those affected by Adams’ passing.