It would not be far-fetched for one to suggest that the South African Football Association (Safa) has a multiple personality disorder.
Their “main personality” is, more often than not, the unresponsive, dependent and a little bit rundown.
This is the side that is known for bungling, for being broke and getting hammered every weekend by the media for a series of mishaps and controversies.
The other side of the association is the one that is shining bright and surpassing all expectations.
On the field, Safa national teams have outdone themselves and brought back the swag and the pride of SA football.
They have not allowed the bungling in the head office and regions or the lack of funds to demoralise them and make them a laughingstock on the continent.
There is a clear, sharp contrast within the federation, but still, we have to give credit where it is due. The SA national teams have come to the party and are flying the Mzansi flag high.
Once again, Bafana are the darlings of the nation, and Banyana Banyana are the African champions and will be defending their crown in Morocco later this year.
The Under-17, fondly known as Amajimbos, and Under-20 (Amajita) have qualified for junior Afcon tournaments.
This year’s edition of the Under-20 Afcon will be held in Egypt from April 27 to May 18, and coach Raymond Mdaka has a nice selection with a band of young players who have established themselves in the first teams of various PSL clubs.
Amajimbos, coached by Kaizer Chiefs’ youth development trainer Vela Khumalo, have
already qualified for the Fifa Under-17 World Cup to be held in Qatar from November 3 to 27, 2025, after they finished as runners-up to Group B winners Burkina Faso at the CAF
Under-17 Afcon currently taking place in Morocco.
As if that was not enough, SA referees and match officials Luxolo Badi, Akhona Makalima and Abongile Tom will officiate at the same CAF Under-20 Afcon.
The continental mother body appointed Badi and Makalima as referees, while Tom will be assigned as a video assistant referee. Assistant referee Cledwin Baloyi is currently representing the country in the Under-17 Afcon in Morocco.
This is something worth celebrating because this is the right path for any country that is taking their football seriously.
The problem is that Safa’s continued reliance on inept personnel and dozy NEC members is not bringing in the Benjamins.
It does not take a genius to fathom that people in the corporate world do not want to be associated with a scandal-riddled federation – and that as long as NEC members continue taking loans from the cashless association, it would be like throwing money into the drain for potential funders.
Or maybe they do not understand the financial spinoffs of qualifying for such tournaments.
Just for qualifying, the Safa national teams are raking in much-needed millions for the association that is in dire need of cash.
Just last month, the association could not pay its staff their March salaries in time, saying it was waiting for one of its partners to release funds. Instead of getting paid on the 25th, workers were only paid on the last day of the month.
The association needs to capitalise and to ride on the bandwagon of the on-field success. Someone is doing things right there, and they must not let a few rotten apples spoil the basket.
We hope that the departure of astute technical director Walter Steenbok will not see the ship sailing into choppy waters yet again.
Thanks for the valuable insights. Looking forward to your next post!
SAFA leadership need to move away from politics and serve sports. Furthermore Dr Jordan must step down and give others a chance to take the Federation forward.