If you can’t beat them . . . Jordaan lands role with Hayatou at CAF
JOHANNESBURG: Danny Jordaan, former 2010 FIFA World Cup organising ceo, has been appointed special adviser to Issa Hayatou, the president of the African Confederation of Football.
Jordaan, who had been unable to break through into the top ranks of CAF on the back of the 2010 success, believes he has a lot to offer CAF.
He said: “I think it’s quite a challenging position but I welcome it. I always welcome new challenges.”
Jordaan served as ceo of the South African Football Association between 1997 and 2001, before leading an unsuccessful bid to host the 2006 World Cup in South Africa.
Four years later, he was praised for his leading role in hosting the 2010 soccer spectacle, gaining international recognition for the tournament’s overwhelming success.
According to a letter from CAF, Jordaan was appointed “due to the continuous contribution he continues to make in African football”.
World Cup bid
Jordaan first met Hayatou 22 years ago while working as acting SAFA president.
He said: “I met him in 1991 when we were making our case for South Africa to return to international football. Ever since, I worked with him both at the level of CAF and FIFA.
“I also worked with him when he was the chairman of the organising committee of the Fifa World Cup in 2010.
“FIFA has its own World Cup organising committee and he was the chair of that committee. As the ceo of the local organising committee, I had to work very closely with him. I’ve worked with him over a number of years in many capacities.”
Jordaan said he would remain Safa vice-president, adding: “Fortunately, with modern communication, you don’t have to get on a plane or write a letter anymore. You can sit in bed and communicate.
“I can still continue contributing to South African football. There is no issue there.”
He remained reluctant to comment on whether he would consider running for the presidency of Safa.
Current president Kirsten Nematandani is expected to face stiff competition from rivals at the elections in September.
Jordaan said: “The people of the region must speak first. The people must be nominated by the region, and the regions have not spoken yet, so we will see who gets nominated. We cannot nominate ourselves.”
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