HOT SEAT: Kirsten Nematandani, the SA Football Association's new president, flanked by Safa executive members Raymond Hack and Shoes Mazibuko and Chief Mwelo Nonkonyana, right Picture: SIMON MATHEBULA

The 2010 soccer World Cup - just 255 days away from kick-off - was the winner when Danny Jordaan and Irvin Khoza withdrew unexpectedly from contesting the South African Football Association's presidency at the weekend.

Their withdrawal led to Kirsten Nematandani, chairman of Safa's referees' review committee, succeeding Molefi Oliphant as president.

His election ends months of hostile horse-trading by the Khoza and Jordaan lobby groups, which raised fears 2010 preparations might be derailed.

Fifa had asked that should Jordaan or Khoza win the presidency, they should vacate their positions on the World Cup local organising committee. Khoza is chairman of the committee, Jordaan its chief executive.

Speaking to The Times yesterday, Jordaan said he had two reasons for withdrawing from the Safa race, the first being his 17-year commitment to the World Cup.

"The second issue is whether I was eligible or not. I formed Safa in 1991 and I was the acting president then," he said, disputing claims that he couldn't stand for the presidency because he is an employee, not a member of Safa.

He said if he had continued to stand for election, the meeting would probably have been adjourned to establish his eligibility. The adjournment, he said, would have taken about two or three months, an undesirable situation in light of the World Cup draw on December 4.

Jordaan said it was clear to him that he would have won.

"But I had to consider my own interests versus the country's interests . We cannot afford to put at risk the draw and create further uncertainty as to who is the president of Safa," he said.

Nematandani was competent for the job, having served in many portfolios, said Jordaan. "He cares for the grassroots."

Nematandani promised to be his own man and chart a new course for Safa.

He vowed not be seen as a ceremonial office bearer, as Oliphant was perceived to be.

"I am humbled to be elected and ready for this great challenge. As a leader I am a servant of the people. What I bring to the table will be a president who cares and will make sure we have stability, accountability and principles. We [the Safa executive] aim to take soccer in our country to a new level. That means hard work from everyone involved," he told The Times.

Khoza could not be reached for comment.

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