Bafana Bafana betrayed by the boardroom
Statement by Nqabayomzi Kwankwa, MP, UDM Deputy President and Leader in Parliament
The United Democratic Movement (UDM) notes with concern the admission by the South African Football Association (SAFA) of the administrative blunder that has led to Bafana Bafana losing valuable World Cup qualifying points and being fined by Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA).
While SAFA has taken responsibility and apologised, this is not enough. An apology does not repair the damage done to the team’s qualification campaign, nor does it address the deeper governance weaknesses that allowed such an avoidable error to occur in the first place.
Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture Gayton McKenzie has himself described this incident as an embarrassment and has promised a probe. The UDM supports this call. However, it must not end with another report gathering dust. We need genuine reform that ensures accountability at leadership level and the strengthening of administrative and compliance systems within SAFA.
Football is the passion of millions of South Africans. The players on the field have given their all to carry the hopes of a nation. They should never have to see their efforts undermined by failures in administration.
The UDM therefore calls for urgent reforms at SAFA, accountability measures for those responsible, and stronger oversight mechanisms to safeguard the integrity of our sporting institutions. South African football deserves leadership that is competent, transparent and worthy of the people’s trust.
