Former South African Football Association (SAFA) vice-president Ria Ledwaba has put AmaZulu FC chairman and prominent businessman Sandile Zungu’s name forward as a candidate to take over from Danny Jordaan.
During Tuesday’s launch of her sports scholarship programme under the Ria Ledwaba Foundation, she said people have been calling for her return to the association.
“Yes, I meet a lot of people asking me, ‘Mama, we are begging you, can you go back to Safa again?'” said Ledwaba. She added, however, that “there comes a point where you look at the contribution you have made to the sport, and you can only be there to advise.”
The former Safa vice president stressed that she no longer has an interest in Safa and is vouching for Zungu to take over, with the hope that he gets the green light to approach the regions and convince them to vote for him.
Sandile Zungu stands out
“And I said, look, there is a Zungu, Sandile Zungu, who stands out for me, and I don’t know if he has been approached by the LFAs [Local Football Association] out there.
“I think he is a good administrator, and if he gets support from the regions, he will be able to make an impact. I see that he is doing workshops in every province and meeting with the people.
“I just hope that the regions will wake up and be able to understand that where they are, they will be stuck and not move any further as long as there is no change in Safa. That’s my belief.”
Ledwaba emphasised that the next leader at Safa must have a background in business and entrepreneurship.
‘We need new leadership at SAFA’
“I believe we need new leadership there at Safa, somebody with a vision, who is a businessperson, and will not have to introduce himself to the corporate because they will recognise him when he comes in.
“Sandile is one of those people who might not have the background of the grassroots, because that’s amateur football.
“But you don’t have to know it. You need people like Dennis [Mumble] around you, who will be able to give you the constitution, the governance and the structure of,” she added.
Despite these growing calls for Zungu to be the next Safa president, the Usuthu head honcho made it clear in an interview that it is too early for him to lead the association and that he is still focused on AmaZulu.
Bafana legends must raise their hands
Ledwaba also called on Bafana Bafana legends to raise their hands and show more interest in forming part of the next leadership at Safa.
“I hope the likes of Lucas [Radebe] and Doctor [Khumalo] will raise their hands and find inspiration from Samuel Et’o, who is now leading the Cameroon football federation. He is even now a member of CAF [Confederation of African Football], so I hope our legends do the same and show more interest.”
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- Former SAFA vice-president Ria Ledwaba has nominated AmaZulu FC chairman Sandile Zungu as a potential candidate to replace Danny Jordaan as SAFA president.
- Ledwaba expressed that while she has been encouraged to return to SAFA, she prefers to support new leadership and believes Zungu has strong administrative qualities.
- She emphasized the need for SAFA’s next leader to have a business and entrepreneurship background to foster progress and corporate recognition.
- Despite the endorsement, Zungu stated it is too early for him to lead SAFA as he remains focused on his role at AmaZulu FC.
- Ledwaba also urged former Bafana Bafana players, like Lucas Radebe and Doctor Khumalo, to get involved in SAFA’s leadership, citing Samuel Et’o’s example in Cameroon.
Former
"Yes, I meet a lot of people asking me, ‘Mama, we are begging you, can you go back to Safa again?'" said Ledwaba.
“
“I think he is a good administrator, and if he gets support from the regions, he will be able to make an impact. I see that he is doing workshops in every province and meeting with the people.
“I just hope that the regions will wake up and be able to understand that where they are, they will be stuck and not move any further as long as there is no change in Safa.
That 's my belief.”
Ledwaba emphasised that the next leader at Safa must have a background in business and entrepreneurship.
“I believe we need new leadership there at Safa, somebody with a vision, who is a businessperson, and will not have to introduce himself to the corporate because they will recognise him when he comes in.
“
“But you don't have to know it. You need people like Dennis [
Despite these growing calls for
Ledwaba also called on Bafana Bafana legends to raise their hands and show more interest in forming part of the next leadership at Safa.
“I hope the likes of Lucas [Radebe] and Doctor [
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