THE Football Transformation Forum has labelled its victory in securing all key Safa positions in the football governing body's elections, as a "coup for the underdog".
THE Football Transformation Forum has labelled its victory in securing all key Safa positions in the football governing body's elections, as a "coup for the underdog".
This according to FTF spokesperson Chief Mwelo Nonkonyana.
"We worked hard from day one in the LFAs (local football associations) to get the overwhelming support of Safa regions," said Nonkonyana. "Some of us who worked underground for the ANC used some of the strategies we learnt during the apartheid era."
Nonkanyana was appointed the new Safa deputy president at the drama-riddled elections on Saturday.
Limpopo's Kirsten Nematandani was elected Safa president unopposed. Irvin Khoza was the hot favourite leading up to the election, followed closely by Danny Jordaan of the FTF.
The two withdrew from the race.
Nonkonyana said: "Our message to the regions was that we needed to be united during the campaign. There were people who supported us but did not go public to avoid intimidation.
"You will recall that when we started we had Danny Jordaan, Shoes Mazibuko, myself and Kirsten Nematandani (who were) approached by the regions to stand for the position of president.
"We decided to have Danny and Kirsten as our preferred candidates. It was also vital for us to have one person continuously talking to our regions.
"That was important to avoid contradictory statements."
Nonkonyana said using information technology helped them a great deal during the campaign.
"We had a person in the office updating the website and our plan to change football. Websites were important to communicate with the world.
"The writing was on the wall that we had won the presidential position when we won the votes for Motsweding region to participate in the meeting.
"The problem, which was a good thing for us, is that many people underestimated us," Nonkonyana said.
While Khoza could not be reached for comment yesterday, Jordaan said: "I'm back at work today. I also had a chat with Irvin on the way forward for the 2010 World Cup.
"In fact, we are travelling together to Scotland this week for the funeral of former Fifa vice president David Will."
How Khoza lost his grip
THE Football Transformation Forum has labelled its victory in securing all key Safa positions in the football governing body's elections, as a "coup for the underdog".
THE Football Transformation Forum has labelled its victory in securing all key Safa positions in the football governing body's elections, as a "coup for the underdog".
This according to FTF spokesperson Chief Mwelo Nonkonyana.
"We worked hard from day one in the LFAs (local football associations) to get the overwhelming support of Safa regions," said Nonkonyana. "Some of us who worked underground for the ANC used some of the strategies we learnt during the apartheid era."
Nonkanyana was appointed the new Safa deputy president at the drama-riddled elections on Saturday.
Limpopo's Kirsten Nematandani was elected Safa president unopposed. Irvin Khoza was the hot favourite leading up to the election, followed closely by Danny Jordaan of the FTF.
The two withdrew from the race.
Nonkonyana said: "Our message to the regions was that we needed to be united during the campaign. There were people who supported us but did not go public to avoid intimidation.
"You will recall that when we started we had Danny Jordaan, Shoes Mazibuko, myself and Kirsten Nematandani (who were) approached by the regions to stand for the position of president.
"We decided to have Danny and Kirsten as our preferred candidates. It was also vital for us to have one person continuously talking to our regions.
"That was important to avoid contradictory statements."
Nonkonyana said using information technology helped them a great deal during the campaign.
"We had a person in the office updating the website and our plan to change football. Websites were important to communicate with the world.
"The writing was on the wall that we had won the presidential position when we won the votes for Motsweding region to participate in the meeting.
"The problem, which was a good thing for us, is that many people underestimated us," Nonkonyana said.
While Khoza could not be reached for comment yesterday, Jordaan said: "I'm back at work today. I also had a chat with Irvin on the way forward for the 2010 World Cup.
"In fact, we are travelling together to Scotland this week for the funeral of former Fifa vice president David Will."