Outgoing SAFA CEO Tebogo Motlanthe’s apt parting shot
“I don’t have any bad blood with anyone, including the president."
Outgoing SAFA CEO Tebogo Motlanthe has set the record straight on why he suddenly resigned from the association.
Motlanthe opted to clear the air after SAFA accepted his resignation without revealing the reasons for the surprising decision.
To make matters worse, several reports indicated that Motlanthe is vacating the SAFA CEO post under a dark cloud.
It is said that Motlanthe and SAFA are not on good terms with reports stating that the advocate parted ways with the association as a result of interference in his duties as CEO.
Some of the reasons for Motlanthe’s resignation include his deteriorating health, invasion of privacy as cameras were planted in his office as well as feeling like a “glorified clerk”, as reported by SABC Sport.
However, Motlanthe, who revealed the real reason for leaving SAFA, brushed aside the claims, insisting they are false.
WHY TEBOGO MOTLANTHE RESIGNED AT SAFA
“It is indeed true that I have handed my resignation and I have sent a letter to the SAFA president [Danny Jordaan] that I have signed,” said Motlanthe during a press conference at SAFA House.
“The one [letter] which is on social media, I would like to categorical say it is not my letter and I do not know. Mine has a signature and has my reasons. My reasons are personal and private.”
Furthermore, Motlanthe also made it clear that he is not at war with the SAFA leadership.
He vowed to continue assisting the association and expressed gratitude to Jordaan for granting him the opportunity to lead SAFA.
“I don’t have any bad blood with anyone, including the president. We worked very well with the president,” he declared.
“He [Jordaan] has been a father and he has guided me. It is just a personal decision that I have taken.
“I would like to thank the National Executive Committee, they have given me support, the regions, members and staff, I wish all of them all of the best.
“I support the bid for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup. We started with the process with me being there and I’m not divorcing myself from it. I will continue to support it from outside.
“As I said to the president, wherever he needs me I will be available. We are not leaving each other on bad terms as it has been painted out there.”
Meanwhile, Motlanthe is reportedly set to join the PSL as a CEO. He served as SAFA’s CEO from 2020.
The new SAFA CEO is former Banyana Banyana star Lydia Monyepao.
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