THE leadership of the South African Football Association is unfazed about the threat being posed to its new administration following a meeting of disgruntled members from the regions in Johannesburg on Sunday.

The members, who claim to represent 30 Safa regions, converged in Johannesburg and made it clear they did not recognise Safa president, Kirsten Nematandani.

Nematandani was elected as the new Safa president, succeeding Molefi Oliphant, during dramatic elections in Kempton Park on September 26.

He became the only running candidate for the position after 2010 World Cup Local Organising Committee (LOC) chief executive Danny Jordaan and Irvin Khoza, chairperson of the LOC, withdrew from the race.

Speaking on behalf of the new Safa leadership, Mwelo Nonkonyana, who is one of the three vice-presidents, said they were not going to entertain the propaganda spread by the disgruntled members.

“This is a propaganda, which is spread by disgruntled members who failed to get their man as Safa president last month.

“We are not going to entertain them and we will nip their behaviour in the bud,” said Nonkonyana.

“We know some people are not happy with the outcome of the elections because they lost positions in the leadership.

“These people, who had a meeting in Johannesburg on Sunday, are not even in leadership positions in their regions. This means they don’t have a mandate from their regions.”

This is the second time in three weeks the new Safa leadership has come under threat.

Last month the Premier Soccer League threatened to challenge Nematandani’s election in court, but so far nothing has come of the threat. The PSL’s approach was believed to have been instigated by Khoza, who walked out of the elections last month after he realised he was not going to ascend to the presidency.

Ironically, the PSL is the only organisation yet to congratulate the new Safa leadership, which has been given the thumbs up by Fifa president Sepp Blatter.

“The matter must go for arbitration because we believe there were a lot of irregularities during the elections,” Sam Msimango from the Nkangala region said.

Meanwhile, the Safa leadership will meet Parliament’s sport portfolio committee chaired by controversial and outspoken Butana Komphela today.

Among other things due to be discussed, is Bafana Bafana’s recent slump.

Bafana have lost eight of their nine matches, which has resulted in many local soccer followers questioning their state of readiness for next year’s World Cup tournament.

Bafana’s Joel Santana also resigned as team coach yesterday.

“We will address a number of issues, including Bafana’s performances.

“There’s a genuine concern about how the team is performing,” said Nonkonyana. - By MONWABISI JIMLONGO