BY Patrick Baloyi

South African Football Association president Kirsten Nematendani has been toppled as the chairperson of the Local Organising Committee (LOC) barely three weeks after signing the Organisation Association Agreement (OAA) with Confederation of African Football (CAF) vice-president Suketu Patel.

The decision to replace Nematendani with his vice-president Chief Mwelo Nonkonyana as the new boss was taken by the Football Transformation Forum during its national executive caucus meeting on March 30.

Such is the power the Forum possesses at Safa House that their influence came to light when the association was told during the NEC meeting on Saturday that Nematendani must make way for Nonkonyana. However, news that Nonkonyana is the new chairperson shocked LOC’s chief executive Mvuso Mbebe who told The New Age that he was unaware of the latest development.

“There is no statement that has been issued regarding the new chair and as we are accountable to the government, I cannot deny nor agree with what you are telling me and until such time I am made aware, so I cannot comment further,” said Mbebe.

Still Nonkonyona confirmed his appointment. “My appointment is not the important issue but the challenge that lies ahead to organise a successful tournament.”

The new LOC boss was in Parliament yesterday to meet with Cabinet as the country awaits the announcement of the 2013 Afcon host cities and the thorny issue of funding a tournament that gets under way in January. One of his immediate tasks is to oversee the appointment of 12 subcommittee members to steer various LOC departments.

“It is wrong to assume that the president was toppled,” said Nonkonyana. “The bigger picture is to host a successful tournament and with issues like the hosts cities and funding still need serious consideration. The nation and the continent is looking at us to present a resounding tournament.”

Safa downplayed Nematendani’s fall and argued that he had been elected chairperson of the LOC on an interim basis pending the appointment of a substantive candidate. Nematendani is in London attending the women’s 2012 Olympics draw that would be conducted today and could not be reached for comment.

As chairperson of Manco, Safa’s highest decision making body, that consist of Nematendani his four vice-presidents – Danny Jordaan, Mandla Mazibuko, Irvin Khoza and Nonkonyana – and CEO Robin Peterson and NEC member Alpha Mchunu, the president was perceived as the logical choice to steer the Afcon preparations.

Further raising eyebrows is that Nematendani was already well versed with the LOC developments and even met and briefed Minister of Sports Fikile Mbalula regarding the progress of the tournament.

But sources close to the developments said the decision to replace Nematedani was politically motivated as the Forum, that is chaired by Jordaan, always has the last say in Safa matters.

“We brought in Nonkonyana because we want to show people the Forum is still running football in the country,” said the source.

“Just like the ANC that makes decision as to how the government should be run, it is the Forum’s duty to see to it that our input is taken seriously when it comes to football matters in the country.”

The Forum was instrumental in plotting PSL chairperson Irvin Khoza’s defeat in the last Safa presidential elections in 2009.

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