Danny Jordaan will this week fly to Namibia to meet with CAF president Issa Hayatou to discuss next year’s Africa Cup of Nations with the possibility that South Africa could yet again be asked to host the event.
Jordaan said on Saturday that he had received a call from the Cameroonian whom he advised to meet up with him to discuss the latest development regarding the biennial, continental soccer showpiece that is scheduled to take place in Morocco next year.
But the north African country has somewhat thrown a spanner into the works of CAF’s planning with their suggestion that the event be postponed due to the current Ebola epidemic that is ravaging west Africa.
CAF though are adamant that the tournament will go ahead as planned and should the stand-off between governing body and hosts persist there is a possibility a new host might be required.
Jordaan would not say whether South Africa, the go-to country for CAF in times of such emergencies, would be willing to rescue the continent’s governing body once again.
“I don’t know what Issa wants to talk about so I can only answer that question after I’ve met him later in the week in Namibia,” Jordaan said after the highly successful 24th Safa congress at the weekend
“But I am aware of the latest developments regarding Morocco and their feelings on the issue of the Ebola virus and I will have to first hear what advice Issa wants in this regard.”
South Africa has hosted the tournament twice (in 1996 and last year) and on both occasions did so after the original host countries (Kenya and Libya) were in no position to perform their duty.
Having just announced that his association had posted a R10-million profit, Jordaan found himself on the receiving end of congratulatory messages from all and sundry – the country’s former presidents who Safa had honoured unanimous in their lauding the association for their big role in helping unite the country.
All of FW de Klerk, Thabo Mbeki and Kgalema Motlanthe spoke highly of Safa’s role in the fight against apartheid as well as in bringing different races together after the advent of democracy and urged the association to continue in this regard.
While pleased with the successful first year he has had as new president of the country’s football governing body, Jordaan explained that such success will serve to increase the association’s financial needs.
“The more success we achieve, the more money we will require.
“We now have to seek more revenue for both the Under-17 and Under-20 national teams for their participation in continental tournaments next year,” he said.
But with the country’s Minister of Sport and Recreation, Fikile Mbalula, giving the two national teams cheques of R110000 and R120000 respectively – Jordaan’s worries were somewhat lessened.
In addition Mbalula said he’d be rewarding Banyana Banyana for also qualifying for their continental championships when they return to Namibia where they are striving to finish in the top three so as to book a place at the World Cup.
Meanwhile the Safa congress unanimously agreed to expel Vice-President Chief Mwelo Nonkonyana who they suspended late last year for his ‘out of turn’ comments that then Bafana Bafana coach Gordon Igesund must be fired should he fail to reach the final of the African Nations Championship (CHAN) that the country hosted this year.
Safa were particularly displeased by Nonkonyana’s decision to take matters to court instead of addressing them at the congress as per the association’s invitation. - The Star