Safa rally round to shield their boss Danny

The decision this week by Safa’s Football Transformation Formation (FTF) to declare candidates opposing Danny Jordaan in forthcoming presidential elections ineligible only proves the organisation has been captured.

This was the view expressed yesterday by supporters of the two banned candidates, former Safa vice-president Chief Mwelo Nonkonyana and former Bafana Bafana captain Lucas Radebe (right), while proclaiming the fight for a new deal to revive SA fortunes was “only beginning”.

“This is the kind of draconian action that has resulted in the decline in the fortunes of Bafana Bafana by an organisation whose officials are more concerned with their own self-interests than the country’s football welfare,” was one pointed response from those who believe that Radebe has been tarnished by being declared unqualified to stand as president.

And highlighting the criticism of Safa is what was described “the attempt to conceal shortcomings by what has been termed a Vision 2022 programme that would rid South African football of its ailments – but has done nothing of the sort”.

Instead, it is pointed out, of the intention of Bafana qualifying for the 2018 World Cup and proceeding beyond the first round the national side has missed out again at the event – something that was achieved as far back as 1998 and 2002, with the only participation since as the host nation in 2010.

The Vision 2022 programme also earmarked South Africa to reach a world top 20 ranking by 2022 and cement a position among the top three nations in Africa.

Instead Bafana are languishing in the late 70s in the rankings.

In contrast, Bafana achieved a world ranking of 17th after annexing the Africa Cup of Nations in 1996 and were already positioned as one of the top three teams in Africa at the same time.

Safa’s FTF, however, have declared that Nonkonyana’s suspension as Safa vice-president in 2014 when he issued a warning to then Bafana coach Gordon Igesund that he could be stripped of his position, was still in force and made him ineligible to stand.