SOWETO Football Association (SFA) is heading for a major showdown with Safa after the latter's decision to charge Phil "Chippa" Mogodi.

SOWETO Football Association (SFA) is heading for a major showdown with Safa after the latter's decision to charge Phil "Chippa" Mogodi.

Soweto clubs and the community will march to Safa House today to demand the withdrawal of charges against their CEO, Mogodi.

Sowetan has learnt that the ANC Youth League and Congress of South African Students have thrown their weight behind Mogodi.

At a meeting yesterday, Soweto clubs said Safa must charge SFA and not Mogodi because he spoke for the association.

This will be the second protest by Soweto amateur clubs, who are also demanding regional status, arguing they have more than 300 clubs.

Mogodi has been summoned to appear before the Safa disciplinary committee tomorrow to answer charges of bringing the sport into disrepute.

The charge was confirmed by Safa deputy president Chief Mwelo Nonkonyana, who indicated another charge of destabilising the sport might be added.

"He has been pleading with Safa to grant Soweto a regional status, but a commission found such a move was not feasible."

But some of the Safa officials want Mogodi to be banned from soccer.

"We will assemble (for the march) at Diepkloof's Zone 5 grounds at 9am," said Mogodi.

"Safa CEO Leslie Sedibe has promised to submit our case for a regional status to the executive. It is strange that people are talking of banning me even before the hearing."

Mogodi supported Irvin Khoza for the Safa presidential election that was won by Kirsten Nematandani.

"There is purging in all regions that supported Khoza during the Safa election," said Nakedi Lekota, former Safa executive member.

"This is against President Jacob Zuma's instruction to all factions to put their weapons aside until after the 2010 Fifa World Cup." - Ramatsiyi Moholoa