Former Bafana Bafana captain Lucas Radebe has made no secret of his wish to become the SA Football Association president one day, and an Orlando Pirates legend has explained why that desire might not be fulfilled.
Edward “Magents” Motale, just like Doctor Khumalo, is of the view that SA football will remain stagnant unless people who have ‘walked the path’ are roped in to be a part of the structures.
In a campaign launch for Ria Ledwaba’s SAFA’s presidential bid in Houghton on Tuesday, Khumalo questioned why legends who can benefit SA football are overlooked at SAFA, and Motale has provided the answer.
“SAFA is run by dictators. For Lucas not to be in our structures doesn’t sit well with me; he is recognised and respected internationally. He represented South Africa well on and off the field. He has paved a nice way for SA footballers abroad,” Motale told the Siya crew.
“Lucas has what it takes to run SAFA, he has the skills, and football is straightforward as long as you have the relevant people under you; it doesn’t need science and maths.
“It is vital for Lucas and other legends to be involved because no one knows our football like we do. Lucas is trying to be part of the SAFA structures, but what will you do when they reject you and shut the door in front of you? You send a proposal; they reject it.”
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Motale, the 1996 Africa Cup of Nations winner with Bafana Bafana, believes those in power at SAFA have implemented rules that bench former players eager to lead the association.
Back in 2018, Rabede was nominated to oppose Danny Jordaan for the SAFA presidency. However, he was said to be ineligible as he failed to meet the requirement, one being that the Leeds United legend needed to have five years’ experience as a football administrator.
“Lucas wants to run SAFA, I had multiple conversations with him, but they can’t make him part of the association because Lucas will expose so many things if they take him in,” added Motale.
“That’s the problem, and they don’t want any of the legends, myself included. When people start raising issues, they are silenced.”
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