Danny Jordaan has secured another four-year term as president of the South African Football Association (SAFA) after convincingly defeating challenger Sandile Zungu in Saturday’s hotly contested elective congress in Midrand, Johannesburg.
Jordaan received 157 votes, compared with Zungu’s 82, giving the incumbent a commanding 75-vote victory and extending his reign at the helm of South African football for a fourth consecutive term.
The election was held at Vodacom World in Midrand, where delegates from SAFA’s voting structures gathered to decide who would lead the organisation for the next four years.
The result represents another emphatic victory for Jordaan, who has led SAFA since 2013 and successfully fought off another challenge to his leadership.
Zungu, the businessman and AmaZulu chairman, entered the race promising major changes to the administration of South African football.
His campaign was built around improved governance, accountability, grassroots development and a fresh approach to the running of the association.
However, when the ballots were counted, it was Jordaan who emerged comfortably ahead.
The voting cohort included representatives from SAFA’s regions, associate member associations and the Premier Soccer League (PSL) as a special member.
Election overshadowed by threats
The election was preceded by controversy after SAFA revealed that some delegates had allegedly received death threats and faced intimidation ahead of the congress.
The threats raised concerns about the safety of delegates and whether the election would proceed without disruption.
Security was subsequently strengthened around the congress venue as SAFA officials sought to ensure that the voting process went ahead.
Despite the tension surrounding the build-up, the congress proceeded and Jordaan’s Football Transformation Forum (FTF) secured enough support to retain control of the association.
Four regions excluded
The election was also affected by the exclusion of four SAFA regions.
According to reports, Harry Gwala and Amajuba in KwaZulu-Natal, Sarah Baartman in the Eastern Cape and Pixley Ka Seme in the Northern Cape were disqualified following a Friday night NEC meeting.
As a result, only 48 of SAFA’s 52 regions were represented at the congress.
The four regions were reportedly aligned with Zungu’s campaign, making their exclusion a significant development ahead of the presidential vote.
The South African Masters and Legends Football Association (SAMLFA) was also excluded, with its membership and voting rights placed in abeyance.
Jordaan’s fourth chapter
Jordaan’s latest victory means he will now remain at the top of South African football until the next elective congress.
His previous major electoral victory came in 2022 when he defeated Ria Ledwaba and Solly Mohlabeng with 186 votes to Ledwaba’s 27 and Mohlabeng’s eight.
This time, however, Jordaan faced a single and well-organised challenger in Zungu, making Saturday’s contest one of the most closely watched SAFA elections in recent years.
Zungu had campaigned heavily on the need for change, arguing that SAFA required stronger governance and a new direction.
But the delegates ultimately opted to keep faith with the experienced incumbent.
With 157 votes, Jordaan has now secured another four years to lead the organisation and will face the challenge of delivering on the expectations that come with another mandate.
For Zungu, the 82 votes demonstrate significant opposition to the incumbent, despite falling well short of the numbers needed to take control of SAFA.
The election therefore closes one chapter of the leadership battle — but the debates over governance, accountability and the future direction of South African football are unlikely to end with Saturday’s result.