Safa is not playing ball

The ongoing confusion regarding next week’s SA Football Association-planned congress is not good for our football.

Yesterday, we thought longstanding matters between the association and Ace Ncobo, who was set to challenge Danny Jordaan for the position of Safa president, had been resolved following the intervention of world governing body Fifa.

But as it stands, the urgent press conference called to address some of the issues served only to sow more confusion.

Fifa envoy sent to mediate in the impasse, Philip Chiyangwa, could not answer basic questions as to whether the congress would still go ahead as planned despite some constitutional issues raised by Ncobo.

It helped little that Safa released an almost barren statement a few hours later, without telling us how they will address outstanding matters, which include the fact that an electoral commission has to be appointed six months before any election can take place.

Ncobo himself has not been too helpful, aside from going on a social media tirade despite promises of an amicable solution to the dispute.

We call on all parties to find common ground and bury their petty squabbles for the interest of our football. No congress should take place without constitutional issues being fully addressed. At the same time, Ncobo must stop playing to the gallery and be clear as to what exactly does he stand to gain by stopping the Safa election.