Jordaan leaves Safa future beyond 2030 undecided after fourth election win

Danny Jordaan has declined to confirm whether he will seek another term as Safa president when his latest four-year mandate ends in 2030.

Jordaan, who will be 79 at that point, secured a fourth successive term after defeating challenger Sandile Zungu at Saturday’s Safa elective congress in Midrand.

The incumbent received 157 votes, compared with 82 for Zungu, retaining what remains the most influential position in South African football and extending his time in office to 17 years.

Jordaan had initially indicated he would step down, but spent more than two years lobbying regions before the election. His victory had therefore been widely expected.

However, when asked at the post-election news conference whether he would stand again in 2030, Jordaan gave no definite answer. He said his future was not solely his decision because he does not appoint or nominate himself.

“Well, first of all, I don’t appoint myself in Safa, even if you think that way. Safa is a democratic organisation, so tomorrow they can have a vote of no-confidence in me, saying I’m out,” said Jordaan.

He remains involved in a court case concerning alleged financial mismanagement.

Jordaan said he could also choose to leave, while suggesting Safa might ask him to remain in place to support a transition. He stressed the importance of experience for anyone taking over the organisation.

“I can decide I want to go [and] in their discussions they can say no, give us a little more time because we want the next transition. But one of the things we cannot have [is] somebody that comes in and starts from day one [without prior experience] in terms of placing SA in a global complex,” he said.

“You must really ask them [Safa national executive committee (NEC)] why I’m always here.”

Asked whether Safa had already identified a possible successor, Jordaan confirmed that a succession plan existed but did not disclose any names or further details.

He said the organisation was preparing to work with Fifa on its Vision 2030 strategy, reflecting football’s four-year planning cycle between World Cups.

“We just concluded the 2026 World Cup in Mexico, Canada and US and the next one is in four years, which happens to be in Morocco, Portugal and Spain, so that’s where we are going,” Jordaan said.

“In those four years the elements and targets are something that we will work on together with Fifa and this new NEC. I don’t want to talk in detail because it is Safa’s plans.”

Zungu accepted the result and said he would not contest the outcome, although he criticised the process used to approve credentials before the vote.

“I lost, and in the balance of evidence and the overall scheme of things, I should accept the outcome of the elections,” he said.

“The processes leading to the adoption of credentials were less satisfactory but that is not for me to do anything about.”