SAFA ELECTIONS | How the influential regions stand ahead of elective congress

The Safa elective congress sees incumbent Danny Jordaan facing challenger Sandile Zungu in a secret ballot, with Jordaan holding a strong lead due to backing from key regions like KwaZulu-Natal, Eastern Cape, and Limpopo, despite divisions in Northern Cape and Western Cape. Picture: Backpagepix

The Safa elective congress takes centre stage on Saturday afternoon as incumbent Danny Jordaan faces challenger Sandile Zungu in a secret ballot for the presidency.

Safa’s 52 regions dominate the ballot, with nearly 200 Local Football Associations (LFAs) casting their votes alongside special members – such as the Premier Soccer League (PSL) – and associate groups, including the South African Masters and Legends Football Association ( Smlfa ), coaches, and referees' associations.

In the buildup to the congress, intense lobbying suggests Jordaan holds the upper hand in his bid for a fourth term, having secured strong support from key regional blocs through his Football Transformation Forum (FTF). Below is a breakdown of where the regions stand:

Boasting the largest regional voting block, SAFA KZN chairperson Kwenza Ngwenya has publicly backed Jordaan. Ngwenya stated that the incumbent mobilised the regions early on, adding that Safa KZN sees no compelling reason to alter its leadership.

Lebogang Riet, an NEC member and part of the "Save Our SAFA" (SOS) faction, recently opened a case against SAFA CEO Lydia Monyepao at the Kathu Police Station. Riet alleges that SAFA statutes and the constitution were improperly amended to favor the incumbent.

Safa Cape Town chairperson and Safa vice-president Bennett Bailey publicly endorsed Zungu's campaign. Bailey cited persistent administrative issues, disunity, and governance failures within the association under Jordaan and Monyepao.

Jordaan retains strong backing in his home province. Six regions – including his hometown Nelson Mandela Bay structure – have formally endorsed his candidacy, giving him a significant regional buffer.

Sada Limpopo remains firmly aligned with Jordaan, following a major gathering in Bela Bela in July. Local regions met alongside delegates from across the country to endorse his FTF campaign machinery.