Gayton McKenzie has read the riot act to the Danny Jordaan-led association
Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie has told SAFA to ensure Bafana Bafana qualify for the next Africa Cup of Nations and World Cup or get out of office.
McKenzie says he has already informed SAFA president Danny Jordaan that South Africa cannot miss out on either of the tournaments and he has to ensure the national team achieves qualification or else he will have to leave and allow someone else to sort it out.
“I have full confidence in rugby because the result is there for us to see. The result is not there with soccer or hockey. I am not a man that gets overpowered or gets impressed with words, I like action,” McKenzie said.
“I told Dr Danny Jordaan and I told SAFA, I will give you two deliverables. I am the ultimate accounting authority when it comes to football and sports in this country.
McKenzie wants consistency from Bafana Bafana
“I said to them [SAFA] qualify for the World Cup, qualify for the Africa Nations Cup. I am giving them all the support now but I can’t be giving people support until kingdom come. These things are not even difficult.”
McKenzie says South Africa are a sleeping giant who needs to be woken up, pointing to the strength of the PSL, as one of the reasons why Bafana Bafana should be regulars at both AFCON and World Cup.
“If Burkina Faso and such countries don’t have our type of money in sport [and still qualify]. We are the most funded league in the African continent, the PSL, how come we can’t win the Africa Nations Cup, how come we can’t be accepted in the World Cup?” he posed.
“We mustn’t accept mediocrity. I am going to make sure I am public about it, they know it, I know it. For now, they have my support but soon, if they don’t qualify, we must get people that can qualify. This is a national asset we are talking about.”
Will South Africa qualify for the next AFCON and World Cup?
South Africa were at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations when they managed an impressive third place finish, their best performance in 24 years, this coming after they had missed the 2021 tournament.
At the World Cup, South Africa have missed the last three tournaments since hosting the 2010 edition and are currently second in their qualification group with on points, same as Rwanda and Benin after two wins, a draw and loss.
Bafana Bafana opened their qualification phase for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations with a 2-2 draw against Uganda last week and face South Sudan in Juba on Tuesday.
