Sandile Zungu confident of unseating Danny Jordaan in SAFA election

Sandile Zungu says he is confident of defeating incumbent Danny Jordaan in Saturday’s South African Football Association (SAFA) presidential election, despite allegations that regions have been destabilised ahead of the federation’s elective congress.

The congress will be held on Saturday, 12 September, with Zungu promising major changes if elected. His campaign has focused on improving schools football, strengthening corporate governance and imposing greater financial discipline within SAFA.

Reports suggest Jordaan remains the favourite among the federation’s 52 regions, but Zungu believes he has built enough support to end the president’s 13-year tenure.

Speaking to the media in Sandton, Johannesburg, on Monday, businessman Zungu outlined his reasons for expecting victory. He also spoke of his ambition to help South Africa’s national teams win at FIFA World Cup level in the future.

A central part of his address concerned claims that some regions had been destabilised after being disqualified from taking part in the election. There have also been complaints about the alleged expulsion of legitimate candidates, while claims that regions have been promised money in exchange for votes have added to tensions surrounding the contest.

“We are obviously putting out a very brave face. We are seething with anger in terms of what is being done to regions. Our legends here have been disqualified in the forthcoming elections and we believe unjustly. We believe some regions who are clearly forcefully pushing for change, there was an attempt to change leadership, which did not succeed. As punishment for them, they are being disqualified for participating in the fortcoming elections,” Zungu said.

He added that legal advice was being sought over the disqualifications but insisted the developments would not prevent his campaign from succeeding.

“As I am talking, there are consultations with legal people to see how to take that matter forward. Trust me, we take is very seriously. Notwithstanding, we will win these elections,” averred Zungu with confidence.

Zungu also alleged that efforts were being made to influence the voting process and referred to a case in the Northern Cape involving Jordaan and SAFA’s chief executive officer.

“There is an attempt at destabilising regions, but it will not sit. There is an attempt at committing electoral fraud. It will not succeed. You may be aware that there was a charge laid somewhere in the Northern Cape against the SAFA president and the CEO of SAFA for what is alleged to be defrauding SAFA constitutionally. It’s a very serious charge, in addition to many other charges that are facing the incumbent president. Those are being challenged and they will be challenged vigorously. We will win these elections. We have done a lot of work above ground and we’ve done a lot of work underground and we are aware that promises of money are happning thick and fast.’

KwaZulu-Natal expected to play key role

KwaZulu-Natal is expected to have a significant influence on the outcome because it has 11 regions, making it the province with the largest voting presence.

Voting members at the congress will include the regions, the Premier Soccer League (PSL) as a special member and associate members.

SAFA has invited a range of stakeholders to attend the elective congress, including representatives from FIFA, the Confederation of African Football (CAF), the Council of Southern Africa Football Associations (COSAFA), the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC), Sports, Arts and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie, the chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Sport, Arts and Culture, and football legends.

Zungu is viewed by some stakeholders as a possible candidate to modernise and restructure SAFA because of his business background. He currently serves as president of AmaZulu, but would leave that position if he were elected SAFA president.