By OBAKENG MAJE
The South African Football Association (SAFA) held a very successful Ordinary NEC Meeting in Sandton on Saturday and the executive deliberated on several matters affecting the game.
SAFA president, Dr Danny Jordaan said, the National Executive Committee (NEC), reaffirmed the steps taken by SAFA in respect to the search and seizure conducted by the Hawks at the association’s headquarters in Nasrec, in the south of Johannesburg on 8 March 2024.
Jordaan said that their actions were unfortunate and a shame to the law enforcement agencies. He further said the Hawks are claiming allegations of fraud and theft amounting to R1,3 million.
“SAFA is well aware of the amount and is satisfied that it was for services rendered, for which contracts can be provided. Let us reiterate, there is no money missing from SAFA.
“So, I am excited by the passionate and honest participation of the members, who freely aired their views and opinions during the meeting. This meeting was very successful and the spirit of the engagements made us very happy,” he said.
Jordaan added that, the meeting got underway with Banyana Banyana coach, Desiree Ellis and Bafana Bafana counterpart, Hugo Broos detailing the programmes of their respective teams. He said Ellis is preparing for the highly anticipated Fourth Round CAF Women’s Olympic qualifier against Nigeria next month and she announced a preliminary 30-member squad a few days ago.
“She will name the final 23 in the coming days. Broos is preparing Bafana Bafana for the FIFA series international friendlies pilot project in Algeria later this month, and the qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The South African senior men’s team departs for the North African country on Sunday, 17 March 2024.
“The Bafana Bafana coach and his Banyana Banyana counterpart, later awarded SAFA vice presidents, Irvin Khoza and Natasha Tsichlas with Africa Cup of Nations bronze medals. The South African senior men’s national team won the bronze medals after beating DR Congo 6-5 on penalties in the AFCON third-place play-off last month,” said Jordaan.
Meanwhile, the SAFA Technical Committee recommended the reinstatement of former Banyana Banyana player, Simphiwe Dludlu as the SA U17 coach. The NEC also received reports from several SAFA committees, including finance, schools football and technical, among others.
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