Sandile Zungu has admitted he is no longer certain whether he will return to challenge for the South African Football Association (SAFA) presidency, after his campaign to unseat long-serving incumbent Danny Jordaan ended in defeat.

Jordaan was re-elected for a fourth consecutive term at the SAFA Elective Congress at Vodaworld in Midrand on Saturday, defeating Zungu by 157 votes to 82, a result that extends Jordaan’s tenure at the helm of South African football, having first taken over the presidency in 2013, taking over from Kirsten Nematandani.

Speaking after the election, Zungu accepted the outcome and congratulated Jordaan, while reflecting on a campaign that had positioned him as the candidate for change and reform within SAFA.

“Such is the nature of contestations. You win some and lose some. I lost and have personally congratulated Dr Danny Jordaan,” Zungu said after the vote. He told the media that he remained in good spirits despite the result.

Zungu also thanked those who supported his campaign and believed he could bring changes to South African football.

“Thank you everyone for believing I can champion the much-needed change in South African football. The voting delegates at the SAFA Elective Congress didn’t believe so,” he said.

Asked about whether he would return to contest the presidency in another election, he indicated that he was not sure, leaving open the possibility that Saturday’s defeat could mark the end of his direct challenge for the country’s football presidency.

His comments came after a fiercely contested campaign in which he had repeatedly called for changes to SAFA’s governance, administration and development structures. In the build-up to the congress, Zungu had also raised serious concerns about the treatment of certain regions and the electoral process, although SAFA maintained that the congress was conducted through the proper democratic structures.

JORDAAN: SAFA IS A DEMOCRATIC ORGANISATION!

For Jordaan, the victory represented a strong endorsement from the delegates who ultimately decided the contest.

After securing another four-year mandate, Jordaan defended the legitimacy of the election and rejected suggestions that his continued leadership was simply a matter of personal ambition.

“First of all, I don’t appoint myself – even if you think that way,” Jordaan said.

“SAFA is a democratic organisation. Tomorrow can have a vote of no confidence against me, and I am out.”

Jordaan said the decision about his continued leadership ultimately rested with the organisation’s structures and delegates.

“I can decide that I want to go, and in our discussion they say, ‘No, give us more time because we want a proper transition.’ They can say we can’t have someone who comes in and starts from day one. So you must really ask them why am I still here.”

The newly re-elected president also addressed the controversy surrounding the congress, including reports of threats and attempts to disrupt the election.

“There was an attempt to derail the elections,” Jordaan said, arguing that the process nevertheless went ahead and delegates were able to cast their votes.

He described the outcome as the product of a democratic process overseen by people with experience in running elections.

Jordaan also criticised what he regarded as a negative campaign against his administration, saying candidates should win elections by presenting a stronger alternative rather than attacking individuals or the organisation.

“When you run for an election, you must present your case, and your case must be better than mine. People are the judges,” he said.

NEW FOUR-YEAR CHAPTER FOR JORDAAN!

Jordaan’s victory means he will remain responsible for steering SAFA through another four-year period, one that will bring significant challenges for South African football.

The association faces expectations around the development of the game at grassroots level, the national teams, women’s football, governance and the broader administration of the sport.

The election was also held against a backdrop of intense debate over SAFA’s leadership and governance, making the size of Jordaan’s victory significant. His 75-vote margin over Zungu gives the incumbent a clear mandate from the delegates who participated in the presidential vote.

For Zungu, meanwhile, the question now is whether his challenge was a once-off attempt to change the direction of South African football or the beginning of a longer political journey within SAFA.