IT IS a great person who puts the country before everything else.
IT IS a great person who puts the country before everything else.
Soccer supremo Irvin Khoza has been bracketed in this group.
But for long, many have been saying Khoza wears far too many soccer administrative hats.
He is chairperson of top team Orlando Pirates, the Premier Soccer League, the 2010 World Cup Local Organising Committee and also vice-president of the South African Football Association.
We cannot overstate his contribution since he rejoined Pirates and worked his way up to the top.
The same man now has the nation on tenterhooks, risking to plummet from hero to zero in a wink of an eye - because he has been defeated in elections for the presidency of Safa.
We are 253 days away from hosting the World Cup and any distraction, especially by one held in such high esteem by so many, is bound to send ripples through the soccer world.
World governing body Fifa cannot be pleased. They pleaded with South Africa, including Khoza, to stay the elections until after the World Cup.
The plea was rejected.
Khoza and his group are now threatening to challenge the polls in court, risking splitting our football right down the middle and raising the ire of Fifa.
Without delving into the merits of their objections, we implore Khoza and the PSL: "Please spare us the blushes and put South Africa first."
Khoza can do his reputation a great deal of good by accepting his defeat gracefully.
Otherwise, we are heading for a sad, sad day for South Africa.
Spare SA the shame
IT IS a great person who puts the country before everything else.
IT IS a great person who puts the country before everything else.
Soccer supremo Irvin Khoza has been bracketed in this group.
But for long, many have been saying Khoza wears far too many soccer administrative hats.
He is chairperson of top team Orlando Pirates, the Premier Soccer League, the 2010 World Cup Local Organising Committee and also vice-president of the South African Football Association.
We cannot overstate his contribution since he rejoined Pirates and worked his way up to the top.
The same man now has the nation on tenterhooks, risking to plummet from hero to zero in a wink of an eye - because he has been defeated in elections for the presidency of Safa.
We are 253 days away from hosting the World Cup and any distraction, especially by one held in such high esteem by so many, is bound to send ripples through the soccer world.
World governing body Fifa cannot be pleased. They pleaded with South Africa, including Khoza, to stay the elections until after the World Cup.
The plea was rejected.
Khoza and his group are now threatening to challenge the polls in court, risking splitting our football right down the middle and raising the ire of Fifa.
Without delving into the merits of their objections, we implore Khoza and the PSL: "Please spare us the blushes and put South Africa first."
Khoza can do his reputation a great deal of good by accepting his defeat gracefully.
Otherwise, we are heading for a sad, sad day for South Africa.