Jordaan and Zungu Contest South African Football Association Presidency

The South African Football Association (Safa) will hold its elective congress on 12 September 2026, with the presidency contested by incumbent Dr. Danny Jordaan and AmaZulu FC chairman Sandile Zungu. Delegates will cast 265 votes for various positions, including the presidency, in a race that observers describe as a battle between continuity and renewal.

Sandile Zungu, a businessman and owner of AmaZulu FC, is campaigning on a platform of good governance, integrity, and the professionalization of the sport. His manifesto includes prioritizing grassroots and school football, as well as improving resources for the women's game. If elected, Zungu would be required to relinquish his position at AmaZulu FC, following the precedent set by Patrice Motsepe.

Dr. Danny Jordaan has served as Safa president since 2013 and previously served as CEO of the Local Organising Committee for the 2010 Fifa World Cup. He is seeking a fourth term, noting that Safa statutes do not impose term limits. Supporters of Jordaan point to the international performance of national teams, including Bafana Bafana reaching the knockout stages of the 2026 Fifa World Cup, as evidence of his successful leadership.

While both candidates have campaigned across the country, they face different obstacles. Zungu lacks support from his home province of KwaZulu Natal, where the Safa chair, Kwenza Ngwenya, has backed Jordaan. Conversely, Jordaan faces criticism regarding governance and legal challenges. A center left perspective frames the contest as a necessary move toward renewal, suggesting that Zungu's private sector competence is needed to replace Jordaan's seasoned political operations. A center right perspective frames the race as a neck and neck battle, highlighting Jordaan's popularity in the regions and questioning whether Zungu entered the race too late.