18 May 2023 – New SAFA CEO Ms Lydia Monyepao met with the South African Masters and Legends Football Association (SAMLFA) on Thursday (18 May 2023) and made a presentation on South Africa’s bid for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Monyepao, the former SAFA COO, was appointed as CEO on Monday (8 May 2023) taking over from predecessor Adv Tebogo Motlanthe, who quit the position with immediate effect due to personal reasons.
SAMLFA President Buddah Mathathe, who was accompanied by several former football players, congratulated Monyepao on her appointment as SAFA CEO and added that his organisation was prepared to fully support the bid.
“You are one of us as a former player and a member of SAMLFA, and we want you to know that we are fully behind you and very proud,” Mathathe.
“We also want to thank SAFA for the continuous support that you have given us over the past 22 years, and also including us in events and projects. Many of our members have served the game on the field and also in this very office, and we want this relationship to continue.”
The SAFA CEO presented the Association’s vision for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup and told the SAMLFA members that their involvement in the bidding process is very critical because they are masters of the game, and have played a huge role over the years in putting South Africa on the global map.
“If I hadn’t played with most of you in this room back in the day, I would be star-struck right now,” laughed Monyepao. “Thank you all for your support and paving the way for people like me to end up in places like this. It is because of your inspiration and support that I am where I am today.
“We will need the legends in this room to be our ambassadors of our bid. We will need our legends to spread the word and bring your experiences into this bid.”