Politicians split as Jordaan and Zungu contest Safa presidency

Danny Jordaan has received backing from ANC national executive committee member Andile Lungisa, while African Transformation Movement leader Vuyo Zungula and MK Party MP Mzwanele Manyi support AmaZulu owner Sandile Zungu in the South African Football Association presidential election.

Jordaan and Zungu will go head-to-head at Safa’s elective congress at Vodacom World in Midrand on Saturday, with several politicians publicly declaring their preferred candidate.

Lungisa, who has been a member of the ANC’s national executive committee since December 2022, said Safa’s existing structures would not allow Zungu, whom he described as a newcomer, to take control of the organisation.

“We have been part of Safa structures. We will never allow newcomers to take over our organisation. Our president is Danny Jordaan and he will be elected on Saturday,” Lungisa said in a post on X.

Jordaan has been Safa president for nearly 13 years. Lungisa said Zungu should instead concentrate on his responsibilities at AmaZulu.

“Zungu must focus on building AmaZulu FC to be a formidable team. We support Danny and we have been part of Safa development structures without fail,” he added.

Zungula, however, said Safa required a change in leadership and endorsed Zungu’s bid to become president.

“South African football cannot continue with business as usual. We need fresh leadership, stronger governance and a serious programme to rebuild football from the grassroots,” Zungula posted on X.

“Sandile Zungu has the experience, vision and leadership required to take Safa into a new era. I support Sandile Zungu for Safa president.”

Manyi has also declared his support for Zungu, arguing that the election should be viewed as a decision about the future direction of football in the country rather than a contest between individuals.

“Safa needs a new chapter. I support Sandile Zungu for the presidency of Safa because this election is bigger than personalities,” Manyi wrote on X.

“It is about the future direction of South African football. This is not simply an election of a president. It is a choice between preserving the status quo and opening a new chapter for South African football.”