Danny Jordaan will become one of four vice-presidents of the South African Football Association (SAFA) next Saturday. SAFA President Kirsten Nematandani confirmed to ESPNsoccernet that Jordaan was the sole nominee and will be officially elected during the body's annual general meeting on December 4.
"In order for a nomination to be valid, it must be accepted by the nominee. In Mr Jordaan's case, he was nominated unopposed, so his acceptance of his nomination is also an acceptance of the vice-presidency," Nematandani said.
Jordaan will join Mandla Mazibuko and Chief Mwelo Nonkonyana as one of the elected vice-presidents. Premier Soccer League (PSL) chairperson Irvin Khoza is the fourth vice-president by default. Jordaan, who was the chief executive of the World Cup's Organising Committee (OC), has been working with SAFA on a contract basis. His agreement with them is due to expire on December 31.
Jordaan's new position also makes him eligible to stand for seats on the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and FIFA's executives. While most administrators would first serve on their continental body before progressing to FIFA, Jordaan will try and occupy both posts concurrently.
CAF are looking to fill at least nine positions at their congress meeting in Sudan in February. Nominees have to be endorsed by their home countries and Jordaan looks the most likely to get SAFA's backing. Nematandani would not be drawn on whether SAFA had made their decision. "Anyone who chooses to put their hand up for nomination for the CAF executive can do so. We will decide from there," Leslie Sedibe, chief executive of SAFA, said.
FIFA will have two vacancies for African representatives. Nigeria's Amos Adamu is provisionally suspended pending the outcome of a corruption investigation while the other has been left open by Jacques Anouma, president of the Ivorian Football Federation. Jordaan has made public his desire for the FIFA post and told the BBC that he hopes to garner support from other African countries.
"The World Cup profile is a big help. It is important for me that Africa feels I can make a contribution," he said.
Jordaan's acceptance of the vice-presidency also ends speculation that he will try to wrestle back the chief exec position from Sedibe.
In January, when Sedibe was appointed, speculation was rife that he was merely warming Jordaan's seat. It was predicted that Jordaan and Khoza, who both withdrew their candidacy for the SAFA Presidency in September last year, would be involved in an almighty showdown for the CEO's position. Jordaan's acceptance of the vice-presidency has put an end to that theory for now.
