Owner of the 2002 PSL champions Santos FC, Goolam Allie, has explained his fears that the potential departure of chairperson Irvin Khoza could spell doom for the league.
According to Sunday World, the league’s long-standing chairperson, Khoza, has hinted that he will not stand for the chairmanship in the PSL elections in November 2024.
The 76-year-old, who is also chairman of Orlando Pirates, has been at the helm as PSL chairman since 2003.
Allie, who was part of the PSL for over 15 years before Santos’s relegation in 2012, has shared his thoughts on the current chairman’s possible stepping down.
SANTOS FC OWNER GOOLAM ALLIE HAS HIS SAY ON THE PSL LEADERSHIP SUCCESSION
“I must be honest with you, quite a few years ago, when I was still in the PSL, I did indicate to Dr Khoza my personal fear of who next [will be in charge],” he told FARPost.
“I always say people can say and criticise Dr Khoza for whatever they have. But he has been a phenomenon. He has done very well to take football to where it is, together with some of his colleagues, of course,” he added.
“I am not necessarily saying there is nobody to take over the reins. But it’s big shoes to fit into. They are really big shoes to fit in. People might not realise he had big shoulders to take that [position] in South African football with all the interferences and so on.
“I won’t say it’s flawless, but I can’t say anyone would have done a better job and done what he has done for football in this country. I have had the good times, and I have had the bad times with issues that happened from the PSL and so on.”
Allie also acknowledged that it has not always been a smooth ride for him while he was in the PSL.
“It doesn’t mean I wasn’t disgruntled at some stage or the other. But I am, and I would be concerned to see who is going to be the next person taking over because I always say he did things in a very positive, assertive manner,” he added.
“When the ship was rolling a little bit, he would carry the ship. Take the notch, and I just think that for now, we might have that problem unless, while I was not there, they have done something to groom somebody really well.”
WHO IS MORE SUITABLE TO TAKE OVER FROM IRVIN KHOZA IF HE STEPS DOWN?
“It is going to be very difficult. But there are people who would be able to do it if I could use that term very lightly. But it’s really difficult shoes to fill,” he said.
“When you look at the PSL and South African football you have to have somebody that understands and wants to be politically, socially and every aspect of our communities correct. You can’t have somebody who doesn’t understand the dynamics of our communities, our history, the people and the economy and everything that goes with it.
“We can’t look at other people outside of our continent and think that we now want to introduce that kind of setup. One thing I learnt in the PSL is that don’t think what is ideal; think what is practical. That is something that Dr Khoza did very well.”
Santos FC are currently participating in Stream A of the SAFA ABC Motsepe League in Western Cape.
RELATED STORY: Hugo Broos outlines what he wants from PSL boss Dr Irvin Khoza
