Professional league for women a step closer – Jordaan
Logistics need to be cleared, same for Banyana post
South African Football Association’s goal to establish a professional women’s football league is a step closer, according to the association’s president Danny Jordaan.
In recent years, Banyana Banyana have managed to qualify for big international tournaments such as the Olympics and the World Cup, but advancing to the knockout phases of those tournaments seemed a challenge in numerous occasions.
It is fair to argue that this hurdle is largely because of the unavailability of a professional women’s league in the country. However, things might change in the next two years after Jordaan reve aled that the launch of the league was imminent.
‘ ‘ We’ll launch at the end of the year or next year
“We will probably look to launch a professional women’s football league at the end of this year or next year. It will take some time to identify the teams and get all the logistics in place,” said Jordaan at a media conference at Safa House.
The Safa boss also confirmed that his latest trip to the United States was about strengthening football contacts and searching a suitable candidate for the vacant Banyana Banyana coaching position.
“We were there [US] to re-establish our contacts in football. We have been in many countries like Switzerland, Egypt, Kenya and Ethiopia to also do the same.
“Our trip was also about exchanges on women’s football and on them bringing coaches here. We must still get the Banyana coach and that was also in our minds.”
He added: “We do not only look in the United States but in Europe as well because the interest is extraordinary for this job. We will have a meeting tomorrow [today] to further assess our options.”
Caretaker coach Desiree Ellis is unlikely to secure the job on a permanent basis.