Four SAFA regions allegedly barred as Jordaan-Zungu vote begins with 48 regions, SAMLFA sidelined
Four regional associations have allegedly been barred from Saturday’s South African Football Association elective congress, slashing the regional voting bloc from 52 to 48 as incumbent president Danny Jordaan faces businessman Sandile Zungu for control of the country’s football body.
The excluded regions are Amajuba and Harry Gwala in KwaZulu-Natal, Sarah Baartman in the Eastern Cape, and Pixley ka Seme in the Northern Cape — all described by Zungu’s camp as aligned with the challenger.
The South African Masters and Legends Football Association (SAMLFA) has also had its membership and voting rights suspended, removing another potential source of support for Zungu.
The congress is under way at Vodacom World in Midrand. Regions normally carry the bulk of the vote, with four votes each. Associate members, remaining National Executive Committee members, and the Premier Soccer League as a special member make up the rest of the electorate. A candidate needs 50 percent plus one of votes cast.
SAFA delegate Magasela Mzobe predicted a comfortable Jordaan win, posting that a “the latest count” gave Jordaan 34 regions to Zungu’s 18, plus a majority of the 41 NEC members.
“We should comfortably re-elect Danny Jordan to serve his last term,” Mzobe wrote. “Then we can have football Imbizo to resolve amateur football and SAFA leadership matters to prepare for a proper succession in SAFA, but the next SAFA president must come from within SAFA structures with NO Political interference.
“PSL will have its congress in 2028, maybe my brother, Sandile Zungu can contest Dr Irvin Khoza as chair of the PSL.”
Zungu’s campaign has spent the week alleging that regions seeking change were being punished through last-minute compliance rulings and disqualifications. Pixley ka Seme had already been flagged for failing to hold a required regional congress.
SAMLFA members protested outside Friday’s NEC meeting after being locked out of the vote; the association had been linked to Zungu, though its own interim leadership later distanced itself from a suspended official who publicly endorsed him.
Jordaan, 75, has led SAFA since 2013 and is seeking a fourth term despite earlier indications he would step aside and despite an ongoing fraud case.
Zungu, 59, chairman of AmaZulu and Sizekhaya Holdings, has campaigned on governance, school football and accountability.
KwaZulu-Natal provincial chair Kwenza Ngwenya has publicly backed Jordaan even as Zungu claimed the province privately. Eastern Cape structures have also leaned toward the incumbent; the Western Cape is split, with vice-president Bennett Bailey supporting Zungu.
SAFA confirmed the congress would proceed after reports of death threats to delegates and tightened security at the venue. FIFA, CAF and other observers were invited.
The voting will happen on Saturday. The secret ballot means public chair endorsements and social-media tallies will only be tested once votes are counted.
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