THE South African soccer leadership has presented a united front during a meeting with Fifa president Sepp Blatter and general secretary Jerome Valcke.
THE South African soccer leadership has presented a united front during a meeting with Fifa president Sepp Blatter and general secretary Jerome Valcke.
Yesterday's meeting also saw PSL chairperson Irvin Khoza coming face to face with the new Safa leadership for the first time since the drama-filled elections two weeks ago.
Safa president Kirsten Nematandani led a delegation from the federation, which included his two deputies, Chief Mwelo Nonkonyana and Mandla Mazibuko.
Also present was Local Organising Committee (LOC) chief executive officer Danny Jordaan.
Nematandani said it was important to show unity before Blatter, who used the meeting to once more declare his faith in South Africa to deliver a great World Cup.
"It was very important for us to present a united front to the Fifa president and his leadership. During the meeting Blatter told us he was still hopeful that South Africa won't disappoint in 2010 despite the election of a new Safa leadership."
Nematandani said Safa assured Blatter that the preparations for the World Cup won't be affected by the recent elections.
"Khoza and Jordaan are still part of the LOC, we also have the same people on the ground working on the day to day operations.
"We are coming back home with a renewed mandate that Fifa is fully behind us," said Nematandani, who with Mazibuko and Nonkonyana will meet CAF president Issa Hayatou in Egypt next Tuesday.
On his first meeting with Khoza since the elections, Nematandani said: "It was great, as usual. We all shook hands and joked.
"Remember, Khoza is the deputy president of Safa by virtue of being the chairperson of the PSL."
Khoza could not be reached for comment simce he was attending a Nobel Peace Committee event with members of the PSL executive committee in Norway.
Safa leaders meet Fifa boss Blatter
THE South African soccer leadership has presented a united front during a meeting with Fifa president Sepp Blatter and general secretary Jerome Valcke.
THE South African soccer leadership has presented a united front during a meeting with Fifa president Sepp Blatter and general secretary Jerome Valcke.
Yesterday's meeting also saw PSL chairperson Irvin Khoza coming face to face with the new Safa leadership for the first time since the drama-filled elections two weeks ago.
Safa president Kirsten Nematandani led a delegation from the federation, which included his two deputies, Chief Mwelo Nonkonyana and Mandla Mazibuko.
Also present was Local Organising Committee (LOC) chief executive officer Danny Jordaan.
Nematandani said it was important to show unity before Blatter, who used the meeting to once more declare his faith in South Africa to deliver a great World Cup.
"It was very important for us to present a united front to the Fifa president and his leadership. During the meeting Blatter told us he was still hopeful that South Africa won't disappoint in 2010 despite the election of a new Safa leadership."
Nematandani said Safa assured Blatter that the preparations for the World Cup won't be affected by the recent elections.
"Khoza and Jordaan are still part of the LOC, we also have the same people on the ground working on the day to day operations.
"We are coming back home with a renewed mandate that Fifa is fully behind us," said Nematandani, who with Mazibuko and Nonkonyana will meet CAF president Issa Hayatou in Egypt next Tuesday.
On his first meeting with Khoza since the elections, Nematandani said: "It was great, as usual. We all shook hands and joked.
"Remember, Khoza is the deputy president of Safa by virtue of being the chairperson of the PSL."
Khoza could not be reached for comment simce he was attending a Nobel Peace Committee event with members of the PSL executive committee in Norway.