SA Football Association (Safa) presidency candidate Ria Ledwaba says “you have to have balls” to stand against incumbent Danny Jordaan.
Jordaan is seeking a third term at the elective congress. Ledwaba, as Andile “Ace” Ncobo did in the 2018 election when he withdrew at the last minute for Jordaan to win unopposed, has alleged irregularities in the process.
In her press conference to confirm her candidacy this week, she described how she became persona non grata at Safa after that. The former Ria Stars owner was asked to describe the experience of running against an opponent in Jordaan whose, in the words of the questioner, “tricks she knows well”. “Well, you have to have balls to do that. And you have to be a firm person to be able to do that,” she replied. “For me it was not about an individual. And he remains my president. That is why, when I was approached, the first person I called was him. And it’s in writing [the later text messages].
“Remember, I’m sure you have seen I have been out of circulation from 2020. Since I was removed as vice-president I’ve never received a single invite, not even for the women’s awards — I’m just sitting there and seeing people celebrating.”