FORMER Premier Soccer League general manager Ace Ncobo could make a dramatic return to the beautiful game as chief executive officer of Safa.

Our sources informed us that Ncobo is one of the three big names who are being interviewed for the position, which became vacant after the departure of Leslie Sedibe.

Following Sedibe's decision to resign in February, Safa have appointed their longest serving staff member Pinky "Sister Boss" Lehoko as acting CEO.

The other two personalities who are being interviewed are former National Sports Council and SABC Enterprise boss Mvuso Mbebe as well as Songezo Nayo.

Nayo, who has served sports in various capacities in rugby and athletics, was the venue manager in charge of Soccer City during the 2010 Fifa World Cup.

"The Safa presidency is the one handling the entire process, they are keeping the matter under wraps to avoid any possible leak," said the source.

"They started with interviews last week and will do another round with prospective candidates doing a presentation on how to make Safa more financially sustainable."

The people handling the process are Safa president Kirsten Nematandani, and his three deputies Mandla "Shoes" Mazibuko, Chief Mwelo Nonkonyana and Danny Jordaan.

"They will be doing the psychometric tests this week, an announcement could be made next week, Pinky is going back to Safa's international relations desk," added another source.

Lehoko has always made it clear she prefers going back to the international relations directorate.

Approached for comment, Jordaan said: "We will make an announcement at the appropriate time, the process to find a suitable person is on-going."