DANNY Jordaan has survived multiple court challenges and chaotic last-minute disputes to become South African Football Association (Safa) president.

Jordaan beat his fierce rival, Mandla "Shoes" Mazibuko, by an overwhelming majority at the Safa election at Helderfontein Estate, Fourways, yesterday, getting 162 votes to Mazibuko's 88.

This election had it all - intrigue, suspense, behind-the-scenes dealings, uncertainty, court cases and disputes.

You could have cut the tension with a knife just moments before the Independent Electoral Commission's Terry Tselane conducted the election.

But in the end, Jordaan emerged triumphant with a wide margin.

His comfortable victory was confirmation of the overwhelming endorsement he got from the Safa regions that had asked him to run last month.

While the victory at the poll was emphatic, Jordaan's path to the seat vacated by Kirsten Nematandani was littered with pitfalls as Safa's Capricon, Xhariep and Sisonke regions brought disputes to the Johannesburg High Court just hours before the election.

The regions disputed the credentials of the representatives who were accredited on their behalf at the congress and risked the ire of football governing body Fifa by electing to take their discontent to court rather than resolving the issues with Safa.

But the high court ruled that the disputes involving the Xhariep and Sisonke regions should be referred to the Safa dispute resolution committee.

The two cases were resolved by the committee on Friday night.

The matter involving the Capricorn region was also heard in the Johannesburg High Court yesterday morning.

The court found that there was no legal basis for the region not to be part of the election.

The matter was then referred to the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee for finalisation.

In the end, the original credentials of the candidates stood and the election was allowed to go ahead.

Voting for the other positions continued well into the night.

Chief Mwelo Nonkonyana, Elvis Shisana and Lucas Nhlapo were voted in as Jordaan's vice-presidents.

Former Mamelodi Sundowns managing director Anastasia Tsichlas, Ria Ledwaba and Nomsa Mahlangu were expected to get the nod to serve on the Safa executive committee.

They were expected to be joined by Norman Arendse, Truman Prince and Xolile Komphela, among others, on the Safa executive.