Doctor Khumalo backed for key SAFA technical committee role

Augusto Palacios has welcomed the appointment of former South Africa midfielder Doctor “16V” Khumalo as deputy chair of the South African Football Association (SAFA) technical committee.

SAFA president Dr Danny Jordaan confirmed Khumalo’s appointment following an Ordinary Meeting of the National Executive Committee (NEC) in Sandton. The 59-year-old will work under long-serving committee chairperson Jack Maluleke.

Palacios coached Khumalo at both Kaizer Chiefs and Bafana Bafana and believes the former international’s playing and coaching experience make him well suited to the position.

“Having played for Kaizer Chiefs, having played at the World Cup and AFCON, and overseas, he deserves to be part of the technical committee,” Palacios told KickOff.

Khumalo was a prominent member of the Bafana Bafana team that won the 1996 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), South Africa’s first continental title. Since ending his playing career, he has also developed experience in coaching and football administration.

He served as an assistant coach at Kaizer Chiefs and later became technical director at Baroka FC. His new position gives him a role in shaping the direction of football development in South Africa.

The SAFA technical committee is responsible for assessing and recommending coaches for the country’s senior and junior national teams. It also oversees efforts to improve scouting systems aimed at identifying amateur and youth players for junior national selections.

In addition, the committee evaluates performance measures and training methods across all of South Africa’s national teams.

Palacios said Khumalo’s background and understanding of the game should be used to benefit the national structure.

“Doctor Khumalo is from the township and has the knowledge, so he deserves to be there. I coached him at both Kaizer Chiefs and the national team, and I’m happy for him. The knowledge he has as a coach and a player shouldn’t go to waste.”