By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
@LucasRadebe.
Former Leeds United and Bafana Bafana captain wants to challenge for the South African Football Association (Safa) presidency in future – a declaration that has since gained momentum.
Radebe has expressed his concerns for being told to go through the structures before taking over the hot seat – saying going to the structures defeats the purpose of what he wants to achieve with the local football mother body.
The presidency of Safa is set to once again be up for grabs when current president Danny Jordaan’s term comes to an end in four years time, after indicating that he will be stepping down.
But SAFA has hit back at Radebe saying anyone who hopes to be the president must be nominated by any constituent groups and must integrity test. We are not just voting for president.
“We have noted a series of articles in Sunday newspapers indicating that former Bafana Bafana captain Lucas Radebe is going to be President of the South African Football Association (SAFA),” said SAFA in a statement.
“1. It must be noted that the SAFA election was held in 2022 for four (4) years, making the next election due in 2026.
“2. It needs to be noted that, unlike the USA election, SAFA elections do not vote for a President only. The election is for President, National, and Provincial members, elections are for all NEC positions.
“3. The voters are the 52 Regions and Associate members. 4. Any person who hopes to be a President must be nominated by any of the constituent groups and must pass the integrity test.
“We are not just voting for the President. 5. the Governance Committee will then publish the list of eligible candidates. 6. In the meantime, we are focused on delivering football programs as per our mandate and this includes; 6.1 Bafana preparation for AFCON and qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
6.2 Banyana qualification for WAFCON and qualification for 2024 Paris Olympics. 6.3 Training of men and women coaches for C License up to A License.
“6.4 Preparation for Schools Football CAF Championship 6.5 ABC Motsepe League 6.6 Sasol League promotion Hollywood Bet final matches and Awards 6.7 U15 National Team preparations.
“6.8 Junior teams’ preparation and development 6.9 Referees training 6.10 Schools Competition Academies Etc.
“The point we are making is that we are busy with football, and we will not entertain trivial distractions.”
Radebe has represented Bafana Bafana on 70 occasions and guided the national side to two Soccer World Cups in France 1998 and the 2002 showpiece (hosted in South Korea and Japan).