Sunday World

Tag: South African Football Association

  • Safa wants McKenzie to pay coach Broos’ R1.5m salary 

    Safa wants McKenzie to pay coach Broos’ R1.5m salary 

    The cash-strapped South African Football Association (Safa) wants to send an SOS to Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture Gayton McKenzie to assist with footing the monthly R1.5-million salary of Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos. 

    The association’s finance committee met two weeks ago at Safa House, where they submitted the recommendation to the office of chief financial officer (CFO) Gronie Hluyo. 

    The CFO will pass on the recommendations to the national executive committee (NEC) in its next conference for interrogation and/or ratification. 

    Broos, the senior national team coach, is reported to be drawing a salary of about R1.5-million a month and the national association is exploring ways and options to fund that salary bill. 

    The latest revelation has raised concern that the financial situation at Safa House could be getting dire as they are alleged to be always scrambling around to foot the hefty monthly salary.  

    “This is just a recommendation and one of the ideas for a financial turnaround,” said an insider close to developments.  

    “One point is about saving money and to also look at how other national federations in the continent are funding their associations.  

    “Other federations are supported by their governments, and maybe Safa can look into that and approach the minister for assistance. It was just a brainstorming session and the NEC will make the final decision,” he added. 

    The NEC is the highest decision-making body of the association, and it is the one that rubber-stamps resolutions and important decrees.  

    It also votes for the Safa president, and it decides who should be appointed CEO of the organisation. 

    “All sports federations in the country get equal funding from the government but it is little for an association that is as big as Safa. For instance, football gets the same amount as archery or handball and there is big difference between football and these federations in terms of numbers and participants. 

    “We are pledging that government must consider the size of the federations and their requirements. The needs of different federations differ vastly.  

    “Safa has nine national teams, and they participate in the Cosafa Cup, the Fifa World Cup and the Africa Cup of Nations tournaments – this tells you a lot about Safa’s requirements,” he added. 

    Explained another informer: “The downside of government paying the coach’s salary could be interference. They will become an active participant in the affairs of the national team and coaching. It’s a double-edged sword and it can either work or open a can of worms. Look at what is happening in Cameroon.  

    “The Cameroon Football Federation president Samuel Eto’o is always fighting with the government over national team coach Marc Brys,” he explained. 

    “Another turnaround strategy to maximise finances was for Safa to create a database where all players and coaches in the country must pay membership fees. But this has been met with a lot of anger,” he added. 

    Last month, the SABC reported that a Safa proposal from four years ago that requires its more than three-million members to pay an annual subscription of at least R100 faced a backlash.  

    As from July 1, Safa has been charging its members between R100 and R200 in annual membership fees, it was reported. 

    The national association is not as cash flush as the Premier Soccer League, which is drawing billions from its TV broadcast rights with pay-TV giants SuperSport, which is under the ambit of MultiChoice.  

    Recently, Safa extended its TV partnership with the public broadcaster, the SABC, for a further four years. The amount and figures were not disclosed. 

    Another Safa insider mentioned that the association needs to revisit its model.  

    “The NEC is bloated and there must be a new overhaul of policy. It does not make sense to have more than 40 NEC members when they can just cut it to the nine provinces in the country. They cannot use a model that is utilised by financially strong federations when they are struggling to attract funding and sponsors,” he explained. Safa CEO Lydia Monyepao was not available to comment on the matter. 

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  • Former Safa boss Tebogo Motlanthe back as COO 

    Former Safa boss Tebogo Motlanthe back as COO 

    In a dramatic turn of events, former South African Football Association (Safa) CEO Tebogo Motlanthe, who resigned in a huff three months ago, has made a sensational return to the mother body. 

    Sunday World has learnt that Motlanthe will start his second tenure with the association tomorrow as the chief operating officer (COO). 

    Safa staff members have already been notified of the new developments.  

    As COO, part of his responsibilities will be to assist CEO Lydia Monyepao in the ambit of legal, membership and events. 

    Monyepao will now focus more on the commercial aspects of the association. Motlanthe is an advocate by profession.  

    Motlanthe resigned in May 2023, citing interference by the Safa hierarchy, which he asserted had reduced him to a mere clerk. 

    Sunday World has it on good authority that Monyepao’s term as CEO could be under serious threat. It is alleged that Motlanthe is being positioned to topple the incumbent Monyepao, who is not a favourite among the all-powerful Safa national executive committee (NEC) members. The NEC members elect the Safa presidents and also appoint the highly instrumental CEO in the organisation. 

    “I think the president (Danny Jordaan) wanted Motlanthe back to do his bidding because we think he may be seeking a fourth term as the president of the association,” said one NEC member. “Motlanthe could be earmarked to go through the regions propping up support for Jordaan’s fourth term – the regions will argue that he must stay on as there is no one to take over from him,” he added.  

    Following his election triumph in 2022, when he beat Ria Ledwaba and Solly Mohlabeng by a landslide, Jordaan had vowed this would be his last term. Those elections and the outcome were marred by protracted lawsuits and name-calling. 

    Most NEC members have been in favour of Motlanthe returning for some time. When he left Safa, Motlanthe insisted he did not have a personal problem with Jordaan but pointed out there were organisational disagreements.  

    Since leaving Safa, Motlanthe was not totally lost to football. He worked with Caf on club licensing and also undertook football administration courses in Namibia and Botswana.  

    In the last couple of months, Motlanthe has been consulting for Safa on legal issues and membership and is the CEO of Motsepe Foundation Championship newbies Kruger United, who are based in Mpumalanga.  

    At some point, he was touted to join the PSL as CEO. 

    Approached for comment, Motlanthe refused to discuss the matter and referred enquiries to Monyepao. Monyepao confirmed that Motlanthe will be rejoining SAFA. 

    “Yes, Tebogo is starting tomorrow as CEO. But I cannot comment on other things at the moment.” 

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  • UJ officially confers Pitso Mosimane with honorary doctorate

    UJ officially confers Pitso Mosimane with honorary doctorate

    The University of Johannesburg has officially bestowed the most decorated South African coach, Pitso Mosimane, with an honorary doctorate on Wednesday.

    The former Bafana Bafana, Mamelodi Sundowns and Al Ahly’s mentor will now be officially addressed as Dr Pitso Mosimane.

    Occasion graced by African football giants

    African football great Florent Ibenge, Kalusha Bwalya, and Senegal coach Aliou Cisse were present to support and witness yet another achievement by Mosimane.

    The South African Football Association (Safa) President Danny Jordaan, Orlando Pirates great Jomo Sono were also present. With former football administrator Molefi Oliphant and UJ’s academic leadership, they led the way to the stage ahead of the ceremony.

    Like the array of other graduates, Mosimane, the man of the moment, was also capped. They were capped by UJ Vice-Chancellor and Principal Professor Letlhokwa George Mpedi.

    Exceptional contributions to the sport

    “This honour recognises his exceptional contributions to the sport. And his commitment to excellence and innovation,” UJ said in a statement.

    “His leadership and achievements have paved the way for other African coaches and elevated the status of African football on the global stage.”

    Mosimane began his coaching career in 1995, coaching SuperSport United and Sundowns. Also Bafana Bafana, Egyptian giants Al Ahly, Al Ahli, and recently Al Wahda in the Middle East.

    Conquered Africa

    He won Sundowns their first-ever Caf Champions League and the Caf Super Cup.

    Jingles, as Mosimane is fondly known in the football fraternity, went on to conquer Africa. This he did by winning two more Champions League titles with Al Ahly. And he guided them to consecutive Fifa Club World Cups, where they finished third.

    The 60-year-old then founded the Pitso Mosimane Soccer Schools (PMSS) last year. The school is dedicated to developing young soccer talent across Africa.

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  • Farouk urges Safa to help fund academies

    Farouk urges Safa to help fund academies

    Stars of Africa Academy founder Farouk Khan wants the South African Football Association (Safa) to step in and help compensate development academies for the millions they spend developing players that end up on the books of top PSL clubs. 

    Under the slogan “Dream Factory”, Stars of Africa officially launched their academy that has produced the likes of May Mahlangu, Tokelo Rantie, Tefu Mashamaite and Patrick Maswanganyi. 

    Khan said although the factory has produced so much talent in SA, he has received compensation for less than five players out of more than 20 that he has produced. 

    “We always brag about 23 professional players that we produced, and I’ll sit here and honestly tell you, if you take Rantie, [Qobolwethu] Sibande who’s now at Stellenbosch and Luther Singh out of the equation, I have to think very hard now where we got any funding back,” Khan told Sunday World. 

    “With Sibusiso Kumalo, at least we got some money from Chiefs when he signed but I can tell you that not more than five players did we receive any compensation for. And the reason is very simple.” 

    Khan said he has not received any compensation from SuperSport United or Orlando Pirates for reigning PSL Players Player of the season Patrick Maswanganyi, despite investing almost R500 000 to develop the player. 

    “Sadly now, Patrick Maswanganyi has signed for Orlando Pirates. We invested five to six years housing him, feeding him, schooling him.  

    “One of my partners spent almost R500 000 to keep him in Portugal for two years, because in Portugal, what people don’t understand, when a player goes there, there’s no red carpet for a player to just move in. 

    “You look at Genino Palace, who is now at Stellenbosch. He was there with Patrick and my partner had to sponsor both players for two years – food, accommodation, trainer, etc. 

    “Until Safa steps in and says to clubs, listen, you can’t just take when you want to. There must be some form of compensation.” 

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  • Safa and PSL send SOS to Motsepe for VAR funding 

    Safa and PSL send SOS to Motsepe for VAR funding 

    The South African Football Association (Safa) and the Premier Soccer League (PSL) joint liaison committee have approached Patrice Motsepe’s foundation for a R30-million donation for the implementation of the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system in SA.  

    The joint liaison committee met up on May 27 and the decision was taken to go cap in hand to the billionaire mining magnate who has previously bailed out both the PSL and Safa on a number of occasions.  

    Motsepe stepped down as Mamelodi Sundowns president after he was elected as the Confederation of African Football (Caf) president in 2021. 

    “The members were given 14 days to report back to the committee. They were confident that the Caf president would once again come to the rescue of SA football. Motsepe was expected in SA to attend a draw of one of Caf’s development tournaments in the country,” said a highly placed Safa official who opted to remain anonymous.  

    The Motsepe family and their foundation came on board when Safa needed performance bonuses for Banyana Banyana en route to the 2023 Fifa Women’s World Cup tournament in Australia and New Zealand were.  

    They also bailed out the PSL with the sponsorship of the First Division after GladAfrica could no longer continue funding the second tier of SA football.  

    They also stepped in the last minute and the first division was renamed the Motsepe Foundation Championship. 

    The PSL has been plagued by inept and poor refereeing standards that continue to deteriorate every season. This has led to widespread criticism and with the football fraternity calling for the immediate implementation of video refereeing.  

    The required R30-million would be for VAR equipment and for the training of officials.  

     Currently, South Africa has only four VAR-trained officials in Victor Gomes, Zakhele Siwela, Akhona Makalima and Abongile Tom. With Gomes getting promotion as the chairman of the Safa Referees Committee, it leaves the association with only three active referees. So, this means that a lot of training will have to be undertaken.  

    Last year, Safa president Danny Jordaan met with the esteemed former Fifa World Cup referee Pierluigi Collina and the two discussed the idea of the Italian coming to South Africa to help set up the VAR.   

    “We want Collina to help set up the long-awaited VAR process. By roping in Collina, the country will expedite the long-awaited implementation of VAR. In terms of the Fifa Statutes, it is the member association’s right to oversee and implement all the referees’ structures and programmes,” said Jordaan. As custodians of football, Safa are in charge of referees and refereeing aspects and attempts to reach CEO Lydia Monyepao on her phone were not successful. 

     

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  • Sports ministry pushing Safa to make women’s football professional

    Sports ministry pushing Safa to make women’s football professional

    The ministry of sports, via its deputy minister Nocawe Mafu, says it will hold the South African Football Association (Safa) accountable for the professionalisation of women’s soccer in the country. 

    After Banyana Banyana won the 2022 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, there were calls to speed up the process of turning women’s football in SA into a full-time vocation. But the calls were only reduced to a talk-shop, with women players having to keep their 9-to-5 jobs. This, apparently, was one of the reasons why the SA government did not give financial guarantees to Safa when they launched their bid to host the 2027 Fifa Women’s World Cup.

    “We will make sure we hold Safa accountable for professionalisation of women’s football as government,” said the fiery Mafu when Sports Minister Zizi Kodwa addressed the media on a variety of other new developments in Pretoria on Tuesday.

    “The importance of making women’s football is linked with professionalisation. We meet Safa and other federations to give us reports and we are going to ask Safa how far they are about this, and we are not going to drop the ball. We are going to ask them the questions – this is very critical. Last week Thursday, we told them we need an in-person meeting with them. The meeting [last week] was held virtually for me and the Minister. We are going to ask for things like programmes and times frames around women’s football. That meeting must happen before we go on Christmas” added Mafu.

    Call for speedy implementation

    Even Safa acknowledges the kind of effort and speed they’ll have to show with issues of women’s football in SA.

    “This work must focus on growing the game locally for girls, developing a professional women’s league and creating an effective pathway for girls to become world class football players,” Safa said in their statement when they announced their withdrawal from the bid processes.

    “It is to be noted that Safa has already reaped the benefits of this programme as Banyana Banyana are the champions of the continent, and Mamelodi Sundowns are the CAF Women’s Champions League title winners for the second time in three years. It is also worth noting that Banyana Banyana made history at the 2023 Fifa Women’s World Cup by qualifying for the Round of 16 after beating Italy 3-2 in their final group match. This gives us a good base in the pursuit of achieving in all of our women national teams,” the Safa statement reads further.

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  • How Safa’s bid for Women’s World Cup flopped

    How Safa’s bid for Women’s World Cup flopped

    The South African Football Association’s (Safa) effort to host the 2027 Fifa Women’s World Cup collapsed after it failed to get government guarantees  and the association was not fully prepared to present a winning bid.

    Sunday World has been reliably informed there was not a single cent in the bid committee’s coffers, which was launched at the recent 2023 Fifa Women’s World Cup. 

    A government official, who opted to remain anonymous, revealed Safa had also approached the nine provinces but none was keen on partnering for
    Safa’s bid.

    “There are scandals, one after the other, like the Fifa R500-million legacy trust fund given to Safa after the 2010 World Cup.

    “There are also internal squabbles. The state of affairs at the federation contributed immensely to government not pumping funds into the bid. 

    “The bid also did not have a national cohesion feel and was not of national importance.

    “The federation has still not professionalised women’s football,” said the official.

    “As a result, Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture Zizi Kodwa told Safa they are not prepared to endorse the bid unless it is a winning bid, like the one of the 2023 Netball World Cup, which was a huge success.

    “He advised them to pull out and to get their ducks in a row and maybe aim to bid for the 2031 tournament,” he added.

    On Friday night, Safa announced its withdrawal from bidding.

    “It is quite unfortunate that we have to pull out of bidding for the 2027 Fifa Women’s World Cup. We felt it was better to present a well-prepared bid for the 2031 Fifa Women’s World Cup and ensure we put our best foot forward, rather than producing a rushed presentation,” said Safa CEO Lydia Monyepao.

    Kodwa’s spokesperson Litha Mpondwana said the minister will address the issue at a press conference in Pretoria on Tuesday.

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  • Radebe told to go to regions to boost his presidential ambitions

    Radebe told to go to regions to boost his presidential ambitions

    South African Football Association (Safa) Johannesburg president Phil Mogodi has responded to the heightening ambitions of Lucas Radebe to succeed Danny Jordaan as the chief of the embattled association.

    Last week, this publication revealed that the former Leeds United and Bafana Bafana captain wants to challenge for the Safa presidency in future – a declaration that has since gained momentum.

    Radebe, 54, has since expressed his concerns for being told to go through the structures before taking over the hot seat – saying going to the structures defeats the purpose of what he wants to achieve with the local football mother body.

    However, Mogodi, like many other Safa officials, stated the Bafana legend needs to be a member of one of the 52 regions before considering the presidential role. “Lucas is more than welcome [to be part of the association] but remember, in football the people who do the voting and responsible for selecting our leaders are those from the 52 regions that we have,” he exclusively told Sunday World.

    “It’s important that you are part and parcel of the structures before anything else because that will help to guide you. For instance, you will never go to SA Rugby and demand to hold a certain position when you are not part of  its structures.

    “Why is it that in football there are so many politics that are being brought up? And I am sitting and watching. People must respect football and follow the right channels – be part of the structures so they can understand the constitution.

    “Take [Samuel] Eto’o for example, he is president now because he humbled himself and went to the structures. He was then seconded by former
    players because he served the structures. So, I advise him [Radebe] to join one of the regions or he can come and join us in Johannesburg as a member.”

    Mogodi said he encourages more Bafana legends such as Doctor Khumalo, SibusisoZuma and Tebogo Moloi to plough back to the game by joining respective regions, which will ultimately make it easier for change to be implemented at Safa.

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  • Steenbok sheds light on Mkhalele’s coaching badges debacle

    Steenbok sheds light on Mkhalele’s coaching badges debacle

    The SA Football Association (Safa) technical director Walter Steenbok has shed light on Bafana Bafana assistant coach Helman Mkhalele’s qualifications.

    This after Mkhalele could not steer the ship at the Cosafa Cup tournament recently, with the latter said to be lacking required coaching badges to sit on the bench.

    Standing in for Mkhalele was Jwaneng Galaxy head coach Morena Ramoreboli.

    Speaking at the unveiling of the Clive Barker Academy recently, Steenbok said the association will facilitate a course to assist coaches acquire their A-licences.

    The course is scheduled for November and Mkhalele will not be eligible to attend unless he has acquired his B-licence.

    “The issue of the Bafana Bafana assistant coach [Mkhalele] is very clear, we are opening up in November and if he has a B-licence, he will get on to that course,” Steenbok said.

    “If he does not have a B-licence, he will not be on that course. If you check the CAF convention, the requirements are clear, you need a B-licence to get on to the A-licence.

    “We have facilitated some of our coaches to cross the border [to complete the CAF A-Licence Diploma] and David Nyathi is one of them. He just completed his C-licence.

    “So, if the Bafana assistant coach has the required qualification, then he will be accepted to the programme.”

    Steenbok stressed that coaches in the Premier Soccer League and other local football structures should be qualified to sit on the bench, including Mkhalele, who will still be barred from leading Bafana at the next Cosafa if he does not have required qualification.

    The technical director also confirmed that Safa will soon be announcing the junior national team coaches – the U-17 and U-20 national team coaches for men.

    Bafana will host Namibia on September 9 and DR Congo on September 12, and Mkhalele is expected to be on the dugout alongside coach Hugo Broos.

     

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  • SAFA launches new regional tournament for clubs

    SAFA launches new regional tournament for clubs

    The South African Football Association (Safa) and partners Hollywoodbets launched a new sponsorship for the men’s Regional League on Tuesday.

    Safa vice president Linda Zwane announced a two-year sponsorship with an option to renew. All Safa regions are regulated to play in a league of 18 teams, where the top two Provincial teams gain promotion to the ABC Motsepe League. The Safa Hollywoodbets Regional league will kick-off in September 2023.

    “We’re really happy about this partnership that will benefit football in rural areas. It’s great to have a big entity that understands football needs financial support,” Zwane told media at Safa House.

    “For two years, the lack of sponsorship has made it hard for teams to develop. But now, with the prize money, teams will feel motivated. They’ll know there’s something to win beyond just moving up to a higher division.

    “With this new partnership, we anticipate a future of enhanced player exposure, elevated competition, and professional club development. This sponsorship is more than just financial support, it’s a powerful testament to the shared vision of uplifting communities.”

    Hollywoodbets Senior Football Sponsorship Co-ordinator Indira Albuquerque said they were very excited about this new partnership as they want to have an impact in the communities, and football is the best way to reach the masses.

    Meanwhile, Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos will announce the 23-man squad to face Namibia and DR Congo at home next month. The announcement will take place on Wednesday at the SABC television studios in Auckland Park at 12pm.

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