Jordaan leads Zungu into SAFA presidential election as key regions declare their positions

The South African Football Association (SAFA) presidency will be decided in a secret ballot on Saturday afternoon, with incumbent Danny Jordaan facing challenger Sandile Zungu and holding a perceived advantage through support from several influential regional blocs.

SAFA’s 52 regions will play a central role in the election, with almost 200 Local Football Associations (LFAs) expected to cast votes. The electorate also includes special members such as the Premier Soccer League (PSL), as well as associate members including the South African Masters and Legends Football Association (Smlfa), coaches and referees’ associations.

Lobbying in the run-up to the elective congress has indicated that Jordaan is in a strong position as he seeks a fourth term. Much of that support has been built through his Football Transformation Forum (FTF), which has secured backing in key parts of the country.

Regional balance of power

KwaZulu-Natal, which has 11 regions and represents the largest regional voting bloc, is backing Jordaan. SAFA KZN chairperson Kwenza Ngwenya has publicly supported the incumbent, saying Jordaan had mobilised the regions at an early stage.

Ngwenya also said SAFA KZN saw no convincing reason to change its leadership, strengthening Jordaan’s position in the province.

The Eastern Cape, with eight regions, is another important source of support for the incumbent. Jordaan has retained a strong base in his home province, where six regions have formally endorsed him. That support includes the Nelson Mandela Bay structure, his home-town region, giving him a substantial regional advantage.

In Limpopo, five regions remain aligned with Jordaan. Sada Limpopo confirmed its support after a major gathering in Bela Bela in July, where local regions met delegates from around the country and endorsed the FTF campaign machinery.

The picture is less settled in the Northern Cape, which has five regions. Lebogang Riet, a National Executive Committee (NEC) member and part of the Save Our SAFA (SOS) faction, recently opened a case against SAFA chief executive Lydia Monyepao at Kathu Police Station.

Riet alleges that SAFA’s statutes and constitution were improperly amended in a way that favoured Jordaan.

The Western Cape’s six regions are also divided. SAFA Cape Town chairperson and SAFA vice-president Bennett Bailey has publicly endorsed Zungu’s campaign.

Bailey has pointed to continuing administrative problems, a lack of unity and governance failures within the association during Jordaan’s tenure and under Monyepao’s leadership.

With KwaZulu-Natal, the Eastern Cape and Limpopo providing significant support for Jordaan, while the Northern Cape and Western Cape remain split, the regional alignment is expected to be a decisive factor when delegates cast their votes.