Gayton McKenzie Issues Clear Ultimatum to SAFA

The Minister of Sports, Arts, and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, has set clear expectations for South African football, giving South African Football Association (SAFA) President Danny Jordaan two main goals: to qualify for both the FIFA World Cup and the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

McKenzie’s directive emphasizes the government’s commitment to enhancing the national football teams’ performance and boosting South Africa’s competitive edge globally.

A Clear Call to Action for SAFA

Minister McKenzie stressed the urgent need for Bafana Bafana to not just participate in major international tournaments but to excel. In recent years, the national team has struggled to consistently qualify for the FIFA World Cup, with their last appearance being in 2010 when they hosted the event. Additionally, South Africa’s performance in the AFCON has been disappointing since their victory in 1996.

McKenzie’s message to Jordaan and SAFA is straightforward: “We need to return to the days when South African football was respected around the world. The time for excuses is over.”

He noted that with South Africa’s resources, especially the well-funded Premier Soccer League (PSL), qualifying for major tournaments should be achievable. In contrast, countries like Burkina Faso, which have fewer financial resources, have outperformed South Africa. McKenzie warned that if SAFA fails to meet these goals, new leadership may be required to ensure qualification.

Leadership Under Pressure

Despite the challenges, Danny Jordaan remains committed to guiding SAFA through this difficult period. However, with mounting pressure from Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie, it is clear that SAFA needs to reform its management and focus more on football development for future success.

Internal Issues and Financial Controversies

Apart from the team’s on-field struggles, SAFA has faced significant internal issues. Under Jordaan’s leadership, the organization has been involved in financial scandals, including a recent investigation by the Hawks over a R1.3 million fraud claim. These problems have hurt SAFA’s reputation and raised doubts about its ability to lead South African football effectively.

Rebuilding National Pride Through Success

Qualifying for the FIFA World Cup and AFCON would be a major step toward restoring South Africa’s football pride. McKenzie’s challenge to SAFA aims to not only improve the team’s performance but also to reignite the nation’s enthusiasm for the sport. Success in these tournaments could help unify the country, fill stadiums, and renew confidence in South African football’s future.

With the next qualification campaigns approaching, SAFA needs to act quickly to achieve these goals and prove its ability to lead a football revival.