South African Football Association
Encyclopedia
The South African Football Association or SAFA is the governing body of football in South Africa
.
, 1991, the culmination of a long unity process that was to rid the sport in South Africa of all its past racial division.
Four disparate units came together to form the organisation in Johannesburg
to set South Africa
n soccer on the road to a return to international competition after a lifetime of apartheid in soccer.
They were the Football Association of South Africa, the South African Soccer Association, the South African Soccer Federation and the South African National Football Association, who later withdrew from the process only to return again two years later.
It was only natural that the game finally be united as the sport of soccer had long led the way into breaking the tight grip of racial oppression, written into South Africa
’s laws by its successive apartheid governments.
A delegation of the SAFA received a standing ovation at the congress of the Confederation of African Football
(CAF) in Dakar, Senegal a month later, where South Africa were accorded observer status. South Africa’s membership of the world governing body FIFA
was confirmed at their congress in Zurich
in June, 1992.
Membership of CAF followed automatically and South Africa was back on the world stage, and we are honoured to be awarded the right to host the 2010 FIFA World Cup
in South Africa.
Within a month the country hosted their first international match as World Cup quarterfinalists Cameroon
came to play in three matches to celebrate the unity process. In September, 1992, South Africa played its first junior international against Botswana
at under-16 level in Lenasia and to date the country has entered a team in each of FIFA and CAF ‘s competitions, from under-17 to national team level, and also for the women’s team.
In the short space of six years, SAFA has achieved remarkable success with qualification for the World Cup finals in France
in 1998, the title of African champions at the 1996 African Nations Cup finals, which the country hosted, and the runners-up berth in Burkina Faso
two years later.
At under-20 level, South Africa were runners-up at the 1997 African championships in Morocco
and qualified to play in the world under-20 championships in Malaysia.
At club level, Orlando Pirates won the prestigious African Champions Cup in 1995, the first club from the southern African region to take the title in more than 30 years of competition. Pirates were playing in the event for the first time and won the title away from home in the Ivory Coast to further amplify the magnificence of the victory.
Behind the scenes, SAFA has worked long and hard to provide the structures to take football to all levels of the South African community. There are now national age-group competitions from under-12 level up, qualified coaches working around the country and nine provincial affiliates, who are further divided into 52 regions.
A democratically-elected executive committee, headed by president Kirsten Nematandani
, oversees the running of a large staff operation.
Kirsten Nematandani is the fourth president of SAFA since its formation. Mluleki George
served as the interim Chairman for the first year (1991-1992) of the existence of the Association. Professor Lesole Gadinabokao was the first president, serving from 1992 to 1994 while Solomon Morewa served as executive president until his resignation in January 1997. Dr Molefe Oliphant was the third president serving from 1997 to 2009.
Former president Dr Molefe Oliphant serves on the technical committee of CAF while former CEO Danny Jordaan
has been co-opted as an official for FIFA.
SAFA's biggest successes, however, have been the achievements of its national teams. Bafana Bafana, the Under-23 National Team and Banyana Banyana (Women's Senior National Team) have become dynamic social phenomena in the country, arguably the biggest social movement in the nation.
The country’s national team has won extraordinary support from the people and served to build bridges between communities.
South Africa hosted the 2010 FIFA World Cup
. The Senior National Team became the first host nation to not qualify for the 2nd round in the tournament's history, after drawing with Mexico
1-1, losing to Uruguay
by 3-0 and beating France
2-1 in their final match.
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
.
History
The South African Football Association was founded on 8 DecemberDecember
December is the 12th and last month of the year in the Julian and Gregorian Calendars and one of seven months with the length of 31 days.December starts on the same day as September every year and ends on the same day as April every year.-Etymology:...
, 1991, the culmination of a long unity process that was to rid the sport in South Africa of all its past racial division.
Four disparate units came together to form the organisation in Johannesburg
Johannesburg
Johannesburg also known as Jozi, Jo'burg or Egoli, is the largest city in South Africa, by population. Johannesburg is the provincial capital of Gauteng, the wealthiest province in South Africa, having the largest economy of any metropolitan region in Sub-Saharan Africa...
to set South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
n soccer on the road to a return to international competition after a lifetime of apartheid in soccer.
They were the Football Association of South Africa, the South African Soccer Association, the South African Soccer Federation and the South African National Football Association, who later withdrew from the process only to return again two years later.
It was only natural that the game finally be united as the sport of soccer had long led the way into breaking the tight grip of racial oppression, written into South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
’s laws by its successive apartheid governments.
A delegation of the SAFA received a standing ovation at the congress of the Confederation of African Football
Confederation of African Football
The Confederation of African Football is the administrative and controlling body for African association football.CAF represents the national football associations of Africa, runs continental, national, and club competitions, and controls the prize money, regulations and media rights to those...
(CAF) in Dakar, Senegal a month later, where South Africa were accorded observer status. South Africa’s membership of the world governing body FIFA
FIFA
The Fédération Internationale de Football Association , commonly known by the acronym FIFA , is the international governing body of :association football, futsal and beach football. Its headquarters are located in Zurich, Switzerland, and its president is Sepp Blatter, who is in his fourth...
was confirmed at their congress in Zurich
Zürich
Zurich is the largest city in Switzerland and the capital of the canton of Zurich. It is located in central Switzerland at the northwestern tip of Lake Zurich...
in June, 1992.
Membership of CAF followed automatically and South Africa was back on the world stage, and we are honoured to be awarded the right to host the 2010 FIFA World Cup
2010 FIFA World Cup
The 2010 FIFA World Cup was the 19th FIFA World Cup, the world championship for men's national association football teams. It took place in South Africa from 11 June to 11 July 2010...
in South Africa.
Within a month the country hosted their first international match as World Cup quarterfinalists Cameroon
Cameroon
Cameroon, officially the Republic of Cameroon , is a country in west Central Africa. It is bordered by Nigeria to the west; Chad to the northeast; the Central African Republic to the east; and Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, and the Republic of the Congo to the south. Cameroon's coastline lies on the...
came to play in three matches to celebrate the unity process. In September, 1992, South Africa played its first junior international against Botswana
Botswana
Botswana, officially the Republic of Botswana , is a landlocked country located in Southern Africa. The citizens are referred to as "Batswana" . Formerly the British protectorate of Bechuanaland, Botswana adopted its new name after becoming independent within the Commonwealth on 30 September 1966...
at under-16 level in Lenasia and to date the country has entered a team in each of FIFA and CAF ‘s competitions, from under-17 to national team level, and also for the women’s team.
In the short space of six years, SAFA has achieved remarkable success with qualification for the World Cup finals in France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
in 1998, the title of African champions at the 1996 African Nations Cup finals, which the country hosted, and the runners-up berth in Burkina Faso
Burkina Faso
Burkina Faso – also known by its short-form name Burkina – is a landlocked country in west Africa. It is surrounded by six countries: Mali to the north, Niger to the east, Benin to the southeast, Togo and Ghana to the south, and Côte d'Ivoire to the southwest.Its size is with an estimated...
two years later.
At under-20 level, South Africa were runners-up at the 1997 African championships in Morocco
Morocco
Morocco , officially the Kingdom of Morocco , is a country located in North Africa. It has a population of more than 32 million and an area of 710,850 km², and also primarily administers the disputed region of the Western Sahara...
and qualified to play in the world under-20 championships in Malaysia.
At club level, Orlando Pirates won the prestigious African Champions Cup in 1995, the first club from the southern African region to take the title in more than 30 years of competition. Pirates were playing in the event for the first time and won the title away from home in the Ivory Coast to further amplify the magnificence of the victory.
Behind the scenes, SAFA has worked long and hard to provide the structures to take football to all levels of the South African community. There are now national age-group competitions from under-12 level up, qualified coaches working around the country and nine provincial affiliates, who are further divided into 52 regions.
A democratically-elected executive committee, headed by president Kirsten Nematandani
, oversees the running of a large staff operation.
Kirsten Nematandani is the fourth president of SAFA since its formation. Mluleki George
Mluleki George
Mluleki Editor George is the former deputy minister of defence of South Africa. He currently serves as treasurer-general of the Congress of the People, a South African political party formed by former Defence Minister Mosiuoa Lekota in 2008.-External links:...
served as the interim Chairman for the first year (1991-1992) of the existence of the Association. Professor Lesole Gadinabokao was the first president, serving from 1992 to 1994 while Solomon Morewa served as executive president until his resignation in January 1997. Dr Molefe Oliphant was the third president serving from 1997 to 2009.
Former president Dr Molefe Oliphant serves on the technical committee of CAF while former CEO Danny Jordaan
Danny Jordaan
Daniel Alexander "Danny" Jordaan is a South African sports administrator as well as a former lecturer, politician and anti-apartheid activist. He led South Africa's successful 2010 FIFA World Cup bid, the first successful one for Africa. He also led their unsuccessful bid four years earlier for...
has been co-opted as an official for FIFA.
SAFA's biggest successes, however, have been the achievements of its national teams. Bafana Bafana, the Under-23 National Team and Banyana Banyana (Women's Senior National Team) have become dynamic social phenomena in the country, arguably the biggest social movement in the nation.
The country’s national team has won extraordinary support from the people and served to build bridges between communities.
South Africa hosted the 2010 FIFA World Cup
2010 FIFA World Cup
The 2010 FIFA World Cup was the 19th FIFA World Cup, the world championship for men's national association football teams. It took place in South Africa from 11 June to 11 July 2010...
. The Senior National Team became the first host nation to not qualify for the 2nd round in the tournament's history, after drawing with Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
1-1, losing to Uruguay
Uruguay
Uruguay ,officially the Oriental Republic of Uruguay,sometimes the Eastern Republic of Uruguay; ) is a country in the southeastern part of South America. It is home to some 3.5 million people, of whom 1.8 million live in the capital Montevideo and its metropolitan area...
by 3-0 and beating France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
2-1 in their final match.
National Executive
- President: Kirsten Nematandani
- Vice-President: Chief Mwelo Nonkonyana
- Vice-President: Mandla 'Shoes' Mazibuko
- Vice-President: Dr Irvin KhozaIrvin KhozaIrvin Khoza is a South African soccer administrator. Nicknamed "Iron Duke / Squveve", he is the Chairman of Orlando Pirates Football Club, Chairman of the South African Premier Soccer League and by virtue of this, Vice-President of the South African Football Association...
- Secretary General: Leslie Sidibe
National teams
- UNDER-12 (Tsetse-flies)
- UNDER-17 (Amajimbos)
- UNDER-20 (Amajita)
- UNDER-23 (Amaglug-glug)
- Senior National Team (Bafana Bafana)South Africa national football teamThe South Africa national football team represents South Africa in association football and is controlled by the South African Football Association, the governing body for football in South Africa. South Africa's home ground is Soccer City, known as FNB Stadium due to a naming rights deal, in...
SAFA Regions
SAFA's 9 Provinces and 52 Regions- SAFA Eastern Cape (Regions: Alfred Nzo, Amathole, Cacadu, Chris Hani, Nelson Mandela Bay, OR Tambo, Ukhahlamba)
- SAFA Free State (Regions: Fezile Dabi, Lejweleputswa, Motheo, Thabo Mofutsanyana, Xhariep)
- SAFA Gauteng (Regions: Ekurhuleni, Johannesburg, Metsweding, Sedibeng, Tshwane, West Rand)
- SAFA KwaZulu-Natal (Regions: Amajuba, Ethekwini, iLembe, Sisonke, Ugu, Umgungundlovu, Umkhanyakude, Umzinyathi, Uthukela, Uthungulu, Zululand)
- SAFA Mpumalanga (Regions: Ehlanzeni, Gert Sibande, Nkangala)
- SAFA Northern Cape (Regions: Frances Baard, Kgalagadi, Namakwa, Pixley-Ka-Seme, Siyanda)
- SAFA Limpopo (Regions: Capricorn, Mopani, Sekhukhune, Vhembe, Waterberg)
- SAFA North-West (Regions: Bojanala, Bophirima, Central, Southern)
- SAFA Western Cape (Regions: Boland, Cape Town, Central Karoo, Eden, Overberg, West Coast)
Leagues
- ABSA Premier League, the Premier Soccer League
- National First DivisionNational First DivisionThe National First Division is the second-highest league of South African club football after the Premier Soccer League . Both the NFD and PSL are organised by the National Soccer League.-For seasons in 2007-11:...
- Vodacom Promotional League, the Second Division
- SAB Regional League
- SAFA Women's League, the Women's Division
Associate Members
- SAFCA
- SAFMA
- SASFA
- SASAII
- SAMFA
- SADFA
- IFASA
- USSAUSSAUSSA may refer to:*United States Ski and Snowboard Association*United States Snooker Association*United States Sports Academy*United States of South-east Asia*United States Student Association...
Special Members
- National Soccer League (Premier Soccer LeaguePremier Soccer LeaguePremier Soccer League is the trading name of the National Soccer League of South Africa. The top league is the ABSA Premiership, sponsored by ABSA...
, National First DivisionNational First DivisionThe National First Division is the second-highest league of South African club football after the Premier Soccer League . Both the NFD and PSL are organised by the National Soccer League.-For seasons in 2007-11:...
)
External links
- SAFA
- South Africa at FIFA site
- South Africa at Confederation of African Football (CAF)