NEMATANDANI FEARS COUP ‘ ’

Nematandani seeks Mbalula s help

BELEAGURED Safa president Kirsten Nematandani is believed to be seeking the intervention of Sports Minister Fikile Mbalula following dramatic changes in the 2013 Afcon local organising committee (LOC).

Until Monday, Nematandani was understood to be chairperson of the LOC, a point that’s been continuously driven home during 2013 Afcon press conferences.

In a meeting during his absence, Mwelo Nonkonyana was elected acting chairperson of the LOC until the next board meeting, when government will be represented in a move perceived as a coup.

Nematandani was seen at the World Anti-doping Agency’s fourth international conference in Johannesburg in midweek, where he was hoping to meet Mbalula. Nematandani says: We are

“working with government and the office of the minister on the 2013 Afcon matters, that is all.

“I’m in no position to answer questions regarding the changes in the LOC, at least until I’m fully briefed on the matter, lest I contradict what has already been said. As president I want to put out a position that is clear and not ambiguous,” he says.

But Mbalula’s spokesperson Paena Galane tells Sunday World: “As far I know there is no scheduled meeting between Nematandani and the minister.”

The LOC board meeting is scheduled to take place after government has pronounced on the way forward on government guarantees and related matters.

At the meeting, issues relating to the chairperson, sub-committees and other outstanding matters will be finalised.

Nematandani also allayed possible fears on the disruption of Afcon preparations, saying: “When you have a CEO who deals with things decisively, you must be happy.

” Sources at Safa say Nematandani has refused two options availed to him; to resign as Safa president and take over as LOC chairperson or appoint someone as chairperson of the LOC.

Meanwhile, the SABC have put their money where their mouth is when they reasserted their commitment to Bafana Bafana with a staggering broadcast rights deal believed to be worth R220m over three years.

Even though the deal is subject to approval by the respective boards, Sunday World understands that both negotiating teams aren’t anticipating any resistance from either the board of the SABC or the football association in finalising the contract.

Neither of the two parties would confirm the figure, as both organisations have agreed to the deal only “in principle” at this stage.

“I can’t confirm the figures. The details of the contract will be made public once both boards have approved the deal. We are envisaging signing the contract during the second week of May,” says Safa CEO Robin Peterson.

Even though Safa valued their TV rights at between R130m and R150m a year, sources in the association insist a contract will be signed.

The deal does not include Bafana away games.