Motlanthe set for sensational return to SAFA but there’s a catch…

Former CEO Tebogo Motlanthe is reportedly set for a sensational return to the South African Football Association (SAFA) but there’s a catch…

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According to a report by Sunday World, SAFA president Dr Danny Jordaan has been having talks with Motlanthe over a possible return.

Motlanthe resigned as SAFA CEO in May after citing interference in his work, saying he felt he was reduced to a mere clerk.

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However, Jordaan is now seemingly willing to compromise and allow Motlanthe to return and do his job as the organisation’s CEO.

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BUT…

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MOTLANTHE COULD RETURN AS SAFA CEO BUT…

There is a catch in all these, according to the publication, and that is because Jordaan wants Motlanthe to help him in his bid to retain his position as president in the next SAFA election.

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Jordaan is in his third and last term as SAFA president but he wants a fourth term, and he believes Motlanthe is the right man to head that campaign from within.

The reason Jordaan initially wanted a fourth term is that South Africa intended to bid for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup but they have since abandoned the idea.

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Now, there is a new perception that the regions will argue that there are currently no suitable candidates to take over from Jordaan should he not enter the presidential race, the publication said.

NO SUITABLE CANDIDATES TO RUN SAFA?

“Anonymous NEC members have also revealed that Jordaan wanted to use the 2027 Women’s World Cup bid to remain in football but with the government having put paid to the bid, he intends to use Motlanthe to remain in football beyond 2026,” reads part of the report.

“Motlanthe will go through the regions propping up support for Jordaan’s fourth term in which regions will argue he must stay on as there is no one to take over from him.”