Acting PSL CEO in two minds about future role

Re-elected Premier Soccer League (PSL) chairman Irvin Khoza is said to be confl icted as he ponders filling the position of Chief Executive Officer (CEO), which has been vacant for over five years now.

Mato Madlala (right) is in an acting capacity at present but it now seems the PSL wants someone to hold the position on a full-time basis.

Club owners, however, seem to prefer that Madlala continues as the acting CEO, with Baroka FC’s Khurishi Mphahlele proposing such during the the PSL’s quadrennial general meeting on Wednesday.

“I am proposing that we keep Sisi Mato Madlala as our acting CEO. She has done a wonderful job, I am happy with the way she is handling the position,” said Mphahlele.

Swallows FC’s David Mogashoa seconded Mphahele’s proposal, adding that Madlala “understands football and how it should be run”.

“Swallows would like to support that motion from Mr Mphahlele. I think Ms Madlala has done well for the League under difficult circumstances and I think she should continue leading this complex organisation. As Mr (Jomo) Sono said, she understands our business and she speaks the same language as us, it is very important that she carries on,” said Mogashoa.

Khoza said he would table the proposal for discussion at the next Executive Committee (Exco) meeting but Phakaaathi now understands that Madlala is not too keen to retain the position.

“She has been saying that she is getting tired of constantly travelling between Durban (her home) and Johannesburg and also her club (Golden Arrows) are suffering because she doesn’t have enough time for it. She feels the club could have grown bigger in terms of their achievements had she been hands- on over the past five years,” said a source close to her.

Another source has also revealed that Khoza understood that Madlala also need to go and focus on her club and was considering other options.

“He feels Jose Ferreira would be a perfect fit as he has been in football for so long,” said the source.

Ferreira had been on the Exco for some time as well but could not return to his position after Wednesday’s election because the club he represented, Bidvest Wits, had since folded.

Thanking Ferreira for his contributions over the years, the chairman, who was re-lected uniopposed, said he hoped he would not be lost to the game and would avail himself should they need his services.