CAF president Patrice Motsepe has given clarity on the role Africa’s football governing body can play in the SAFA presidential race between incumbent Danny Jordaan and the latest challenger for the throne, Sandile Zungu.
Jordaan is hellbent on serving a fourth term as the big boss of South African football, but Zungu has stepped in with an effort to bring in fresh ideas to take the country to new heights.
It’s bound to be an interesting race, and Motsepe has made it clear that CAF will be president during the elections in September to ensure that everything is done legally.
“It’s very clear. We have to keep South African football united, both within SAFA as well as the relationship between SAFA and the PSL. It’s very important.
“CAF as well as FIFA, will be there to support, to make sure that the processes are in compliance with the CAF and FIFA statutes and regulations. What the president of CAF cannot do is ‘I like Lux, but I don’t like John’. You don’t do that. I had the same problem in Côte d’Ivoire when (Didier) Drogba wanted to stand to be the president of the football league. I like Drogba; he made us proud, as much as I like (Samuel) Eto’o. But I had to tell a meeting where there were many people that my job is to support and make sure it’s done in a manner that’s legal and ethical and to make sure that the candidate that wins enjoys the support of football in the country,” Motsepe said during a press conference held in Sandton, Johannesburg, on Wednesday.
“I know Danny. I know Sandile. Sandile was my secretary when I was president of black business. Danny will phone me and say whatever he likes. Sandile will phone me and say whatever he likes. But there’s a clear understanding that as the president of CAF, I have to maintain a position of impartiality.”
Motsepe, meanwhile, confirmed that he will be at the funeral of Jayden Adams this weekend.