Pressing Issues: Dear Doctors Khoza and Jordaan . . .

An Open letter to the top dogs of SA Football

I had a dream the other day.

In my dream, the 29th Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) had just finished and the two of you were sitting in some cosy office and having a serious, honest discussion.

You were digesting what went down in the Afcon showpiece.

For a change, the two of you agreed that our football was in a shambles and needed a major shake-up.

You decided to bury your differences and work for the benefit of the game.

The decision saw you revive the partnership you formed as chairperson and CEO of the 2006 Fifa World Cup Bid Committee, respectively, as well as the 2010 World Cup Local Organising Committee.

In the cordial meeting, you acknowledged it was your working on a common goal that led to Fifa’s “kubwa bosi” (big boss in Swahili) Sepp Blatter, giving our hosting of the 2010 shindig a nine out of 10 rating.

My, my, my! You even congratulated each other for the sterling work you’ve done in your respective fields of professional and amateur soccer.

This acknowledgement led to you agreeing (surprise, surprise) that the South African football cake was big enough for the two of you to share and still leave pieces for other prominent and deserving members of the football family.

You agreed to go to your constituencies – that are as divided as the split between fans of Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs – to inform them of your agreement.

They, in turn, were quite impressed by the spirit of unity shown by you.

Jordaan was later voted SA Football Association president unopposed, with Khoza his deputy, by virtue of steering the Premier Soccer League ship as its chairperson.

Some prominent soccer figures, such as Kaizer Motaung, Jomo Sono, Lucas Radebe, Shakes Mashaba, Natasha Tsichlas, Mato Madlala and Patrice Motsepe were elected to positions according to their strengths.

Honorary Safa life president Dr Molefi Oliphant was given an advisory position and that of chairing a subcommittee of Mzansi’s senior football statesmen such as Professor Lesole Gadinabokao, Goba Ndlovu and Dr Leepile Taunyane.

Our professional and amateur football grew under your astute leadership and we saw our national teams and clubs flourish in continental and international contests with money flowing into the game in unprecedented fashion.

My dream culminated with Bafana Bafana trotting out to face hosts Russia in the final of the 2022 Fifa World Cup after winning the 2021 Afcon.

Then I woke up.

Not a bad dream, neh! I hope the good doctors agree.

»  smseleku@citypress.co.za