Zungu graciously accepts Jordaan defeat and won’t contest election outcome

Zungu was defeated by the incumbent Danny Jordaan, who secured his fourth term as SAFA President, with the AmaZulu owner losing by 157 votes to 82. 

It was a bruising battle after an intense campaign in the weeks leading up to election day, but Zungu took the loss on the chin...

"We believe that even in the face of defeat, we still believe that we have a responsibility because a lot of people's livelihoods depend on the good reputation of SAFA. I'm very interested in the SAFA brand being elevated, and I'm not going to throw more negativity on this matter. Danny Jordaan heard what all our concerns are about, and I hope they will not treat the issues raised in the campaign with disdain."

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Zungu only fully started his campaign three months ago, compared to Jordaan’s re-election campaign, which had been in motion since the end of last year. 

He’s thanked his team, regions as well as SAFA regional and NEC leaders who were fully behind him, even when the fight became very personal.

As the club owner of AmaZulu, the oldest club in the Premier Soccer League (PSL), formed in 1932, Zungu says his role in football development is not about to stop now, and they are looking to make further contributions to South African club development...

"I'm the president and owner of the oldest team in the PSL, and even now, AmaZulu has u/13's, u/15's, u/17's, u/19's, the reserve team and then the first team. We also have plans to establish a women's team. I'm very passionate about development and we have invested a lot in this idea to make sure it is a flourishing thing in the AmaZulu environment. We don't want young people's dreams to go to waste."

The feeling amongst some of the delegates, and even those who were on the opposing side, was that Zungu’s fight and commitment showed a strong impact and willingness to serve South African football. They feel that if he were to show interest in having another go at these elections in the future, he stands a very good chance.

The 59-year-old was non-committal on his future ambitions.

One of the most critical parts of yesterday’s congress was the adoption of credentials, which was highly contested and divided the delegates as questions were asked about regions that were excluded and others that were included before the voting commenced. 

Zungu and his camp would possibly feel aggrieved at having seen at least three of their regions and also associate members disqualified from participating in yesterday’s race.

Amajuba and Harry Gwala from KwaZulu-Natal and Pixley Ka Seme and ZFM from the Northern Cape were the four regions that were barred from the congress, but Sarah Baartman from the Eastern Cape, a region considered by the Zungu camp to be in the same predicament as these other four had questions around their elective congresses.

The explanation from SAFA was that its Membership Committee felt that everything was above board with their participation.