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CAF President Patrice Motsepe asserts that he enjoys strong relationships with both Danny Jordaan and Sandile Zungu as they prepare for the SAFA presidency election in September.
Motsepe confirmed that CAF, in collaboration with FIFA, will send representatives to oversee the election conference, guaranteeing that all processes are handled with transparency.
He addressed this issue during a press conference in Sandton on Wednesday, in response to questions about CAF’s role in the presidential elections of its member federations.
His comprehensive briefing also underscored the performance of the ten African nations that participated in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, culminating in Spain’s championship triumph on Sunday.
The SAFA presidential race is gaining momentum following AmaZulu FC President Sandile Zungu’s official announcement of his candidacy against incumbent Danny Jordaan.
While Zungu has made his candidacy public, Jordaan has not yet started an official campaign; however, he continues to have significant backing across various SAFA regions for a potential fourth term.
Jordaan was first elected SAFA president in 2013 and successfully secured a third term in 2022 with a decisive victory over Ria Ledwaba and Solly Mohlabeng at the Sandton Convention Centre.
Moreover, insiders indicate that the Premier Soccer League (PSL) currently leans towards supporting Jordaan due to established protocol guidelines that Zungu is believed to have overlooked when announcing his candidacy. Nonetheless, this stance may shift before the election takes place.
In Zungu’s home province of KwaZulu-Natal, among the 11 SAFA regions, four have expressed support for his candidacy, while seven remain loyal to Jordaan.
Despite the complex regional landscape, Zungu remains hopeful about his chances of unseating Jordaan, who has faced ongoing criticism concerning SAFA’s administrative practices.
However, Motsepe stressed that his position as CAF president requires him to remain completely impartial.
“We must continue to project a message of positivity, and it is vital that we unite to keep South African football cohesive,” Motsepe stated.
“Unity within SAFA and the relationship with the PSL are both extremely important.
“CAF will be present to support the process, and FIFA will also be involved to ensure compliance with CAF and FIFA statutes and regulations.
“What the CAF president cannot do is show favoritism. We do not participate in that.”
Motsepe drew parallels with a past election in Ivory Coast involving football star Didier Drogba.
“I encountered a similar situation in Ivory Coast when Didier Drogba aimed to be president of the football federation. I hold Didier Drogba in high regard for his contributions, just as I do Samuel Eto’o.
“I take pride in all our football legends. Yet, it is our responsibility to uphold an electoral process within legal and ethical boundaries, ensuring that the chosen candidate has genuine support from the football community in that country.”
Motsepe also reflected on his long-standing relationships with both candidates.
“I have known Danny Jordaan and Sandile Zungu for many years. Sandile served as my secretary when I was president of Black Business, and I entrusted him to promote unity among black and white business leaders.
“Danny often reaches out to me, as does Sandile. Yet, they fully understand that I must remain impartial and neutral in my role as CAF president.”
The SAFA presidential elective conference is set for 12 September, with the location to be announced soon.
