Following Sandile Zungu’s official launch of his campaign to challenge Danny Jordaan for the SAFA presidency, FARPost can confirm that one region has thrown its backing behind him, while four others remain in support of the incumbent.
The AmaZulu FC chairman launched his SAFA presidential bid at Emperors Palace in Kempton Park, Johannesburg, on Saturday.
The event was attended by high-profile figures, including former Bafana Bafana captain Lucas Radebe, who has openly backed the business tycoon. SAFA is expected to hold its elective congress in September 2026.
According to media reports, all 11 SAFA regions in his home province of KwaZulu-Natal are behind his campaign. Zungu has also received public backing from the likes of Football Transformation Forum [FTF] and current SAFA vice-president Bennett Bailey. The 59-year-old Zungu will also need the backing of the other regions across the country to topple Jordaan.
FARPOST BREAKDOWN: HOW LIMPOPO REGIONS ARE SPLIT ON SANDILE ZUNGU’S SAFA PRESIDENTIAL BID
SAFA currently comprises 52 regions across South Africa’s nine provinces: KwaZulu-Natal [11], Eastern Cape [7], Gauteng [6], Western Cape [6], Free State [5], Limpopo [5], Northern Cape [5], North West [4], and Mpumalanga [3].
Delegates from these regions, alongside eight associate members and the special member [the PSL], will cast their votes via secret ballot during the elections scheduled for 12 September 2026.
However, Zungu must still pass an eligibility test under Article 30.4 of the SAFA Constitution, which stipulates that presidential candidates must possess at least 10 years of active administrative experience within SAFA structures.
WHAT LIMPOPO SAFA REGIONS SAY ABOUT THE LEADERSHIP RACE
FARPost reached out to all five regions in the province to get their views on the race for the top position in South African football.
“Without regret or beating around the bush, in Mopani, we support president Zungu to take over football affairs and make sure that we have world-class administration and funding from the corporate World,” said SAFA Mopani president Vincent Ramphago.
However, Ramphago seemed to be isolated when it comes to support for Zungu’s campaign; the presidents from Waterberg, Capricorn, Vhembe and Sekhukhune regions have thrown their support behind Jordaan’s fourth term bid.
“No, as SAFA Vhembe, we don’t even want to participate in that. Even the guy who is spearheading this [Sandile Zungu] campaign, we told him straight that we are not on that train,” said the president of Vhembe Jabulani Ndove.
“As Waterberg in our congress [a fortnight ago], we nominated Dr Jordaan as the president. So we are not supporting that [Sandile Zungu]. Our mandate is very clear, is to continue with the current SAFA president,” declared Waterberg region leader Jack Maluleka.
Meanwhile, SAFA Capricorn region leader Jacky Mogashoa has reaffirmed his support for Jordaan, calling on Zungu to challenge for the PSL Chairmanship instead.
“There is no administrator who can match Danny Jordaan. So the person they are talking about is a PSL person, and in the PSL, there are elections. So we wonder why he can’t stand for elections where he is?” he said.
RELATED STORY: Arthur Zwane pays tribute to AmaZulu FC president Sandile Zungu
