By Andrew Warshaw
September 2 – Danny Jordaan, the public face of the 2010 World Cup who has waited patiently to fulfil his ambitions amid a myriad political manoeuvring, is one step closer to snaring the most powerful football position in his native South Africa after his one-time ally turned bitter rival, Irvin Khoza, withdrew his candidacy for the presidential election on September 28.
The South African Football Association (SF) constitution precludes anyone from being president while also holding an interest in a club.
Khoza is chairman of Orlando Pirates which means the race for President will now be contested by only two candidates – the highly articulate and well-intentioned Jordaan and current SAFA vice president Mandla Mazibuko.
According to South African reports, controversial current incumbent Kirsten Nematandani has not been nominated for a second four-year term.
“I did indicate, when approached to stand, the limitations brought about by Article 37.9 of the SAFA Constitution. My standing at this stage will create a negativity that I can’t afford to bring to football,” said Khoza, who is also chairman of the Premier Soccer League (PSL).
Three years ago, after working tirelessly as CEO of the World Cup organising committee, Jordaan joked at a media conference attended by this correspondent that he might look for a more anonymous position “like a job in a post office.”
But it soon became clear he had far more ambitious projects in mind and last week he was nominated by 32 of the country’s 52 regions to contest the SAFA presidential election.
Ever since the World Cup, South African football has been rocked by a series of controversies whether over financial mismanagement or matchfixing, while on the field fortunes have also dipped. Nematandani and other officials were suspended briefly over match-fixing allegations but his ban was lifted just before this year’s African Nations Cup which South Africa hosted.
The interntionally respected Jordaan, if he wins, will be expected to repair much of the damage, restore South Africa’s global credibility and rebuild sponsorships.
Not everyone is supportive, however. Jordaan’s critics believe that taking over the hot seat will be designed more to manoevre himself into the corridors of power at FIFA than about genuine development in his own country. Time will tell.
In July, Jordaan was appointed to serve as advisor to Confederation of African Football (CAF) president Issa Hayatou.
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