South Africa’s Minister of Sports, Arts, and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, has issued a strong warning to the president of the South African Football Association (SAFA), Danny Jordaan. In a recent media briefing, McKenzie made it clear that Bafana Bafana’s continued failure to qualify for major tournaments like the FIFA World Cup and the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) will no longer be tolerated.
The statement came during Monday’s Nedbank handover of a multi-purpose sports court, where McKenzie openly expressed his frustration with SAFA’s management and results under Jordaan’s leadership. He set forth two critical deliverables: Bafana must qualify for both the upcoming Afcon and the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
A Crisis of Confidence
Gayton McKenzie was blunt in his critique, citing the lack of results in football as the key issue. “I don’t have full confidence [in SAFA],” he said. “Confidence doesn’t come with words; it comes with results. I have full confidence in rugby because the results are there for all to see. But the same can’t be said for soccer, or even hockey.”
McKenzie’s frustration with Jordaan’s leadership was palpable, as he emphasized the need for action rather than promises. “I’m not impressed with words; I like action. I’ve given Danny Jordaan two clear deliverables: qualify for the World Cup and Afcon. I am the ultimate authority when it comes to football in this country,” McKenzie stated firmly.
Pressure on SAFA Leadership
SAFA, under Danny Jordaan’s presidency for over a decade, has faced mounting criticism for its inability to improve South African football. The calls for Jordaan’s removal have grown louder since McKenzie took over as minister in July, with many believing that fresh leadership is needed to change the fortunes of the national team.
For McKenzie, South Africa’s failure to qualify for major tournaments is not just disappointing; it’s unacceptable. He pointed out how smaller, less-funded countries like Burkina Faso manage to secure Afcon and World Cup qualifications, while South Africa, which boasts the richest league on the continent, struggles.
“A country like ours, with the most funded league on the continent, should not find it difficult to qualify for Afcon or the World Cup,” McKenzie emphasized. “We must stop accepting mediocrity. If SAFA and Jordaan fail to meet these deliverables, we will need new leadership that can.”
The Clock Is Ticking for SAFA
Although McKenzie expressed his willingness to support SAFA for now, he made it clear that this support would not last indefinitely if results don’t improve. The pressure is now on Jordaan and his team to deliver tangible results in the upcoming qualification campaigns.
“I’m giving them support for now, but I can’t continue backing people who aren’t performing. If they fail to qualify, we must get people who can,” McKenzie said.
With the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifications looming and Afcon on the horizon, SAFA faces a critical juncture. Whether they can rise to the occasion and deliver remains to be seen, but one thing is certain—Gayton McKenzie won’t hesitate to hold them accountable if they fail.