Doctor Khumalo: Why can’t we be allowed to be part of SAFA?

Kaizer Chiefs legend Doctor Khumalo has hit out at the South African Football Association (SAFA) for denying former Bafana Bafana players the chance to lead the organisation.

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For years now, the country has been calling for a change in the SAFA leadership with former Bafana Bafana players touted for leadership positions.

However, this hasn’t been the case as the SAFA hierarchy adopted rules and policies that sideline those with no credentials.

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And this has meant little to no change in the SAFA leadership over the past three decades as those who have been part of the organisation continue to rotate leadership positions.

Now, as SAFA gears up for its elective congress later this month (May), Khumalo feels it’s time for change, and he angrily took on the country’s FA for constantly sidelining former Bafana Bafana players.

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He feels former Bafana Bafana stars such as Lucas Radebe who’s hugely respected in Leeds, should be allowed to be part of SAFA for the benefit of South African football.

Furthermore, Khumalo questioned the continuous overlooking of experienced coaches such as Ephraim ‘Shakes’ Mashaba.

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Mashaba had part of Bafana Bafana since re-admission in 1992, and Khumalo feels those who walked the path could definitely bring the need change at SAFA.

DOCTOR KHUMALO’S PLEA AHEAD OF SAFA ELECTIVE CONGRESS

“We went to the DRC, we had to live for five days with Coke and bread because we couldn’t eat their food. Is that not sacrifice?” asked Khumalo at Tuesday’s press conference held at the Nelson Mandela Foundation.

“So, why can’t we be part of the structures? Why can’t the likes of Shakes be part of the structure? How do we expect football to be better in South Africa if people who walked the path can’t be part of it?”

“How are you, in your right frame of mind, lambast a legend that is being respected in England and still honoured, if we don’t that in South Africa… but what we do, we chop and criticise them because they know how to do it, when to do it and why to do it.

“So, I’m saying with the change, let’s consider our ancestors that made this game to be what it is today,” added Khumalo.

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