18 December 2020 – The SAFA President, Dr Danny Jordaan, has issued a report outlining the national team and other successes SAFA has achieved in 2020.
SAFA EXTRAORDINARY SUCCESS PROGRESS REPORT 2020
National Teams:
U17 Men:
The U17 Men won the COSAFA Cup and qualified for the 2021 AFCON. They Ranked 3rd in Africa.
U17Women:
They are 1 match away against Morocco from qualifying for the FIFA World Cup. We are still awaiting the decision by FIFA if they will postpone or cancel the World Cup.
U20 Women:
They are left with three games from qualifying for the FIFA World Cup. They are currently ranked 3rd in Africa.
U20 Men:
Unfortunately, they failed to qualify for AFCON due to technical rules of COSAFA.
U23 Men:
They have qualified for the Tokyo Olympics in 2021. They ranked 3rd in Africa.
Banyana Banyana
They have won the COSAFA Women’s Cup for the fourth consecutive year. They are in the process of beginning their qualification for AFCON 2021. Banyana Banyana in ranked 3rd in Africa.
Bafana Bafana
They are both on 9 points with Ghana in the qualification for the 2022 African Cup of Nations with two matches remaining. They are ranked 13 In Africa.
Financial Report:
SAFA has through prudent financial management turned around its financial position from the loss of R74.5 million in 2019 under the previous administration to a surplus of R53 million in 2020 under current CEO Adv. Tebogo Motlanthe.
The Audited Financial Statements were presented to the NEC and was approved unanimously. It was an unqualified Audit.
Regional Payments:
SAFA has made a commitment to pay the 52 Regions the regional grants on a regular basis and this has resulted in development activities at grassroots level, which includes male and female competitions, workshops and training, coach education, coaching workshops and on governance, Regional meetings and Congresses.
Governance:
SAFA has strengthened it governance by establishing an independent Integrity officer headed by former Acting Judge Mr Alex Abercrombie, and an establishment of the Ethics’ Committee headed by a Female Judge, Justice Sisi Khampepe, including a retired Appeals Court Judge Ronny Pillay and practising attorney Ms Candylee De Sousa.
National and Domestic Competitions:
The Joint Liaison Committee consisting of representatives from South African Football Association (SAFA) and the Professional Soccer League(PSL) developed a Bio Bubble or Safety Hub that was used to Complete all National Competition of the PSL, National First Division (NFD) and the ABC Motsepe League.
Premier League:
The Men’s Premier League the PSL was won by Mamelodi Sundowns with the prize money of R10 million. The Women’s Super League was won by Mamelodi Sundowns with the prize money of R500 000.
National First Division (NFD):
The NFD was won by Moroka Swallows and the prize money was R3 million.
ABC Motsepe League:
The ABC Motsepe League was won by Mbizana Pondo Chiefs with the prize money of R1 million. (It is a team promoted to the NFD from the deep rural areas of the Eastern Cape).
Kay Motsepe League (Schools League):
The Kay Motsepe League was won by Clapham High School with the prize money of R1 million donation to the school for educational purposes. The school uses the funds to build additional classrooms, computers labs or science labs.
The league winners were JVW and runners-up were Malndies. The prize money was R300 000 for JVW and R100 000 for Malndies. Both teams were promoted to the National Women’s Super League.
SAB League (2850 Teams):
It is a regional men’s competition. 8 of the 9 provinces have held playoffs to determine teams to be promoted to the ABC Motsepe League. However, the Eastern Cape’s programme has been postponed due to Covid-19 infections in the province.
Women U17 Provincial Competition:
The Women U17 Provincial Competition was won by Eastern Cape.
Men U17 Provincial Competition:
The Men U17 Provincial Competition was suspended due to Covid-19.
Women U20 Provincial Competition:
The Women U20 Provincial Competition was suspended due to Covid-19.
Men U20 Provincial Competition:
The Men U20 Provincial Competition was suspended due to Covid-19.
Players Playing Football Overseas:
South Africa has 65 male players playing in various teams in the following countries:
1. Argentina
2. Austria
3. Australia
4. Azerbaijan
5. Belgium
6. China
7. Denmark
8. England
9. Finland
10. France
11. Germany
12. Greece
13. lndia
14. Iran
15. Iraq
16. Ireland
17. Israel
18. Italy
19. Kazakhstan
20. Latvia
21. Lithuania
22. Malta
23. Netherlands
24. New Zealand
25. Peru
26. Portugal
27. Romania
28. Singapore
29. Scotland
30. South Korea
31. Spain
32. Sweden
33. UAE
34. Ukraine
35. USA
South Africa has 32 Women players playing overseas in the following countries:
1. Belarus
2. Finland
3. France
4. Italy
5. Kosovo
6. Netherlands
7. Portugal
8. Spain
9. Scotland
10. Sweden
11. Turkey
12. USA
At the recent COSAFA tournament in Port Elizabeth, two South African players were identified as the best players in the Tournament. Ms Jessica Wade, U17 Women’s Captain and Mr Mduduzi Tshabalala, U17 Men’s Team have been awarded development opportunities with clubs in Spain. We congratulate them and wish them the best.
International Partnerships:
SAFA has cooperation agreements with Qatar Football Association, Russian Football Association, Spanish Football Association, Dutch Football Association and Burkina Faso Football Association. Covid-19 Regulations has delayed the finalisation of the conclusion of cooperation agreements with a number of African countries as well as the English FA and China,
CAF Presidency:
SAFA has nominated Dr Patrice Motsepe for the position of CAF President. The position of CAF President will be contested by four candidates:
1. Dr Patrice Motsepe – South Africa
2. Mr Jacque Anouma – Ivory Coast
3. Mr Augustin Senghor – Senegal
4. Mr Ahmed Yahya – Mauritania
The elective Congress of CAF is scheduled for 12 March 2021, in Rabat Morocco.
Finally, we have come to the end of a difficult year as a result of the regulations and restrictions of Covd-19. Notwithstanding that it was the most successful year for SAFA. We wish you and your family a safe festive season. Let us be energised for a fruitful 2021.
Thank you all for the support and unity amongst members. We wish to thank the National Executive Committee, Regional Presidents and Regional Leadership for their unwavering support. We thank the administration led by the CEO Adv.
Motlanthe as well as our Commercial Partners. We welcome the three new Commercial members, Multichoice/Showmax, LeCog Sportif and D’S Damat.
We wish all members of the SAFA Football Family a happy Festive Season and a Prosperous New Year. Keep safe, wear masks, wash your hand and avoid mass gatherings.
We are looking forward to 2021.
DR DANNY JORDAAN
PRESIDENT: