By Obakeng Maje

The South African Football Association (SAFA) on Friday, 11 January 2013 met with its commercial affiliates at SAFA House to update them on various issues including the FIFA match fixing investigation and new opportunities in the broadcast and global sponsorship environment.

The sponsors were also briefed on the state of readiness of the AFCON 2013 Tournament that included an update on ticketing and activation opportunities around the Men’s Senior National Team, Bafana Bafana.

The meeting further engaged in discussions on enhancing support for Bafana Bafana’s effort to qualify for the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.

On the match fixing report, SAFA informed sponsors’ representatives from Absa, Puma, SAB, Tsogo Sun and Tiger Brands that the matter will not be swept under the carpet but that it was important for the nation to focus its attention on supporting Bafana Bafana and making sure that AFCON 2013 becomes a resounding success.

“The meeting was very inspiring. We can only learn from exchanging notes and I think this forum gave us an opportunity to streamline our plans and consolidate them into a common vision. I am glad that our partners have appreciated the transparency that the Association has demonstrated in dealing with this matter and it has created an enabling environment for further interaction,” said SAFA President Kirsten Nematandani.

This progressive interface with the sponsors comes against the backdrop of Bafana’s Bafana international friendly match against Algeria at Orlando Stadium on Saturday night, 12 January 2013 which is part of Coach Gordon Igesund’s final preparations for the forthcoming AFCON 2013 showpiece that kicks off next Saturday with a match between South Africa and Cape Verde.