SAFA presidential candidate Sandile Zungu has warned that those responsible for unpaid Bafana Bafana World Cup bonuses would be fired if he is elected on Saturday. Zungu is opposing incumbent Danny Jordaan for the SAFA presidency in a two-horse race. Jordaan is running for a fourth term.
The AmaZulu chairman also weighed in on the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) issue with R20 million having been set aside for its acquisition by Treasury last year.
Minister of Sport Gayton McKenzie has expressed his frustration with the process and blamed SAFA officials for the delay.
The issue of unpaid bonuses or late payments for Bafana Bafana and Banyana Banyana has come up again and again.
News of unpaid bonuses for the Bafana Bafana players who represented the country at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States surfaced this weekend, a month after the tournament.
Zungu says he’ll bring those responsible to book if he’s elected and the matter isn’t resolved by close of business on Thursday.
“If the matter isn’t resolved by close of business on Thursday, those responsible must consider themselves fired should I be elected president of SAFA on Saturday.”
Meanwhile, the 59-year-old has also weighed in on the VAR. Its acquisition and implementation has been dragging on for almost a year after McKenzie announced R20 million has been set aside.
“What should have happened was for SAFA to meet the minister halfway in ensuring that VAR is acquired and an apology should be made to the minister and the country. VAR is something that is needed to improve the standard of refereeing,” Zungu explains.
He also revealed that his mission is to see Bafana Bafana and Banyana Banyana win their respective World Cups instead of worrying about just qualifying for major international tournaments.
He is responsible for the revival of a National Schools Soccer Programme to unearth talent, and good governance which Zungu says will attract investment from corporates.
Zungu says he and his support staff have completed their groundwork ahead of Saturday’s elective conference and are certain of victory.
