In a move which is set to raise eyebrows within football circles, former South African Football Association (Safa) CEO Tebogo Motlanthe is set for a dramatic return to the troubled organisation – as early as next month.
Motlanthe resigned in a huff in May, citing massive interference by the Safa hierarchy that he claimed reduced him to a mere clerk.
It has emerged Safa president Danny Jordaan approached Motlanthe to return to his position and the two have apparently met on numerous occasions to tie up what might be one of the most dramatic moves.
Current CEO Lydia Monyepao could be asked to return to her COO position but will retain her lofty salary to avoid possible damaging litigation, according to Sunday World sources.
When asked to comment, Monyepao said: “I am not aware of it.”
It is also understood that Jordaan wants Motlanthe back to do his bidding as he intends to make an about-turn regarding his third and last term. Following his election last year when he beat Ria Ledwaba and Solly Mohlabeng by a landslide, Jordaan promised this would be his last term.
Anonymous NEC members have also revealed that Jordaan wanted to use the 2027 Women’s World Cup bid to remain in football but with the government having put paid to the bid, he intends to use Motlanthe to remain in football beyond 2026.
Motlanthe will go through the regions propping up support for Jordaan’s fourth term in which regions will argue he must stay on as there is no one to take over from him.
Safa are also engaged in a bitter battle with the Premier Soccer League bosses over the release of players for the Africa Cup of Nations starting in January 13 in Ivory Coast.
The league has scheduled fixtures until December 30 and Safa and Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos were hoping the last round of fixtures for the year would be on December 23 so that players can get a rest before the Afcon camp.
“PSL acting CEO Mato Madlala said she would engage the league’s board of governors. I will check with her tomorrow because it is urgent and time is not on our side,” said Monyepao.
Bafana will have their camp from January 4-9 in Stellenbosch and then play a practice match against Lesotho.
