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Jordaan and Khoza set aside differences as SA prepares to snub Morocco World Cup bid

SA Football Association (Safa) President Danny Jordaan (R) sits alongside his perceived foe and Premier Soccer League (PSL) chairman Irvin Khoza at the FIFA Congress to vote on the 2026 World Cup bid on Wednesday June 13 2018.
SA Football Association (Safa) President Danny Jordaan (R) sits alongside his perceived foe and Premier Soccer League (PSL) chairman Irvin Khoza at the FIFA Congress to vote on the 2026 World Cup bid on Wednesday June 13 2018.
Image: Mark Gleeson

Just weeks after accusing Irvin Khoza of undermining him‚ South African Football Association president Danny Jordaan sat alongside his erstwhile rival as the pair represented South Africa at Wednesday’s FIFA Congress in Moscow.

The pair looked to be in good humour as they sat next to each other in discussion before the Congress kick off‚ although they did not arrive at the same time with Jordaan taking up his seat first and Khoza coming in five minutes later.

There were no signs of any bitterness following Jordaan’s outburst against Khoza in recent weeks when he accused him of undermining his bid to retain the SAFA presidency.

Khoza also responded publicly to deny the allegations.

The two will participate in the decision on who is to host the 2026 World Cup where South Africa will break ranks with the majority of the rest of the continent and vote for the joint North American bids rather than Morocco.

The vote should take place around 2pm South Africa time and is expected to be tight with the Canada-Mexico-USA bid expected to shade it as Morocco lose out for a fifth time.

Each of FIFA member associations are now voting for the winner‚ as opposed to past votes when only the members of the executive committee decided.

Jordaan confirmed to SowetanLIVE at the Congress that South Africa will vote for the joint North American bid.

It is a decision which follows government after recent pronouncements by Sports Minister Tokozile Xasa‚ who said South Africa could not support Morocco. SA and Morocco have strained relations.

South Africa recognises the Polisario government in exile in the disputed Western Sahara territory‚ which was annexed by Morocco after the colonial power Spain left in the mid-70s.

The North Americans have made much headway already in persuading African countries to vote for them rather than Morocco‚ but observers say it is political and military co-operation deals that have proven effective.

Morocco have‚ however‚ received the backing of at least half of the European countries and there is expected to be an anti-Donal Trump factor in the vote as well.

The anti-American sentiment stirred up by the tweets of the US president could hand Morocco some key votes.

Guests at Wednesday’s congress also included former cabinet Minister Tokyo Sexwale and ex-SAFA president Molefi Oliphant.

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