14th September 2026
Speaking during the press conference this past weekend, after the SAFA elective congress where Jordaan was re-elected, beating Sandile Zungu by 157 votes to 82, Modipa says the long-standing tradition will have to continue.
There was a strong debate after Zungu was nominated for the SAFA presidency, with some feeling that it was going against the tradition of the local football mother body...
"We were taught by our elders in SAFA that we can never have someone coming in from the outside and not from the regions, to lead SAFA. This is because of various reasons.
"It is incorrect to have someone outside of SAFA's structures come in to lead SAFA. We have our own integrity and dignity to protect."
As the world of modern football continues to evolve, professional football club leaders are allowed in other countries to contest national federation leadership positions.
Former SAFA President and Honorary President Molefi Oliphant was reported in the media to still be in favour of the long-standing tradition.
Asked if Zungu would be allowed to contest in the future, Modipa appeared to be opposed to that approach.
Meanwhile, Modipa has also weighed in on how they managed to garner more numbers and rally behind Jordaan in these elections. The Western Cape Football Association (WAFA) Chairperson, who was also leading the campaign team of the Football Transformation Forum (FTF), shares their strategy...
"One thing that took us over the line is the honesty of our members. We didn't promise them anything because they know what SAFA is and how it works. We didn't talk about compensation because it is the obligation of members to ensure they elect the leadership structure of SAFA that will serve them at different levels.
"Most of the people in the country don't understand SAFA. SAFA is a developmental structure, it isn't a business."
Modipa says the new SAFA NEC made up of 40 members, including the four representatives from the Premier Soccer League (PSL), is also a good mix of youth and experience.
