Radebe calls for leadership change at Safa, reflects on Kaizer Chiefs and cancer run

Lucas Radebe remains interested in getting involved in the administration of South African football and believes it would be a travesty if Danny Jordaan were to stand for yet another term as president of the country’s governing body.

The former Bafana Bafana captain, who previously tried to challenge Jordaan but was curtailed by Safa rules requiring that he be a member of the association’s structures, says the local game is in need of administrative change.

“I think it is long overdue,” he said, during an interview in Soweto, where he had just finished running the Discovery Run For Cancer Rave with Orlando Athletics Club.

“I believe there are leaders out there, and all that’s needed is for them to be given a chance. Let’s get together and see who can take (the leadership) on.”

As such, Radebe insists Jordaan must step aside.

“He is not even supposed to still be there anyway. Obviously, they (the current Safa leadership) say they don’t see somebody who will succeed him — it’s all politics.

"I believe there’s a lot we can do, a lot that can be established. The thing is, our football is good on the pitch; it shows where we are lacking — upstairs, that’s where the change needs to be.”

The man fondly referred to as Rhoo believes he is ready to take South African football forward.

“I’ve always wanted to be a part of South African football on a stage where I can make a difference because I believe we’ve served the country so long," said Radebe.

"The game has done us well, too, to get us to where we are. But why can’t they give us a chance to do something for the game that we love and get it to where it should be?”

Radebe agrees that South Africa should learn from the likes of Cameroon, who are led by their former star player Samuel Eto’o as FA president.

“That should happen. I think the most important thing is us uniting as ex-footballers — coming together, agreeing, and sharing a vision for the game. Those technicalities about having to be in the local football associations — they’re just finding something to lock the gates and lock us out. I believe change will happen, and we will get a different leadership.”

A former Kaizer Chiefs captain, Radebe is pleased that Amakhosi have finally won a trophy after 10 years without silverware.

“They’ve won a trophy, and it can only get better," Radebe said.

"They must give the coach (Nasreddine Nabi) this season and see whether he’s good for the club or not, because it does not help to keep changing coaches — it destabilises the club. They just need to bring in quality players to strengthen the squad.”

He is, however, disappointed that Chiefs no longer scout players the way they used to.

“This thing of getting free agents is not how Chiefs used to be. In the past, they used to have proper scouts who looked for players. These days, things have changed — they want ready players — but that’s letting us down.

"Let’s do development and get players who are hungry enough, who want to make a name for themselves.”

Radebe ran the race at the weekend in honour of his dearly departed wife, Fezile, who died of cancer.

“This time of the year, especially closer to the event, it gets very emotional, you know," Radebe explained.

"There’s a lot that I think about, and I am always excited to take part. To see everyone in pink, knowing that everybody here has been touched — most of the people here have been touched — by that kind of illness, that horrible illness.

"To be running for such a great cause is satisfying, and enjoying the ambience is great. It encourages me to do even better.”