Sports

SAFA President Danny Jordaan under investigation over fraud, theft allegations

Published

9 months ago

March 10, 2024

The President of the South African Football Association (SAFA), Danny Jordaan, is currently under investigation over allegations of fraud and theft of the association’s funds.

On Friday, the Serious Commercial Crime Investigation (Hawks) carried a raid on the Safa House with search and seizure warrants as part of their investigation into the allegations.

A statement by the South African Police Service confirming the raid alleged tha Jordaan had used his position as Safa President to siphon the organization’s resources for personal gain to the tune of R1.3 million, which is in breach of Safa statutes.

“The Serious Commercial Crime Investigation executed search seizure warrants this morning, 08 March 2024, at the South African Football Association’s office,” the police statement.

“The warrants were promoted by allegations of fraud and theft amounting to R1.3 million.

“The allegations are that between 2014 and 2018, the president of Safa used the organisation’s resources for his personal gain including hiring a private security company for his personal protection, a Public Relations company without authorisation from the Safa Board.

“The president is also reported to have violated Safa statutes thus prejudicing Safa an actual loss of R1.3 million.

“During the search, a laptop, external hard drives, a USB and documents were seized,” the statement noted.

According to a statement from the Hawks, its investigation reveals tha “between 2014 and 2018, the SAFA President used company resources for his personal use after hiring a private security company for his personal protection.”

Though Jordaan has not been arrested just yet, the police say he has been invited for questioning over the allegations.

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Sports

Wafcon 2024 draw throws up interesting pairings

Published

6 hours ago

November 23, 2024

Isaac Dachen

The draw for the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon) holding in Morocco from July 5 to 26 next year which was held on Friday, threw up some interesting match-ups to look forward to as hosts Morocco found themselves in what has been described as the group of death.

The Atlas Lionesses will have to contend with Zambia, DR Congo and Senegal in Group A, while Group B has record 11-time continental champions, the Super Falcons of Nigeria slugging it out with Tunisia, Algeria and Botswana, just as current defending champions, Banyana Banyana of South Africa will do battle with Ghana, Mali and Tanzania in Group C.

The top two sides in each group will progress to the quarter-finals, alongside the two best third-placed finishers.

Though qualification for the 2024 Wafcon was completed in December last year, the Confederation of African Football (CAF), was forced to push the finals into 2025 because of international football’s congested calendar, which included the participation of Nigeria and Zambia at the Olympics.

Morocco also staged the 2022 edition of Wafcon, ending as runners-up, and former international Fatiha Laassiri believes home support will provide “a real advantage” next year.

Wafcon 2024 group draw with world ranking in brackets:

Group A: Morocco (hosts, 59), Zambia (62), Senegal (83), DR Congo (102).

Group B: Nigeria (36), Tunisia (78), Algeria (84), Botswana (153).

Group C: South Africa (holders, 50), Ghana (66), Mali (81), Tanzania (145).

Sports

Ghanaian winger Fatawu out for season with ACL injury

Published

2 days ago

November 21, 2024

Isaac Dachen

Ghana and Leicester City winger, Abdul Fatawu, has been ruled out of the rest of the EPL season after suffering an Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) injury during Ghana’s 1-1 draw with Angola in a 2025 AFCON match during the international break.

Leicester coach, Steve Cooper, who announced the news on Thursday, said the 20-year-old enterprising player suffered a “serious” knee injury which will see him out for the rest of the season.

“It’s not good, it’s a serious injury,” Cooper said ahead of his side’s home tie against Chelsea on Saturday.

“He’s had an ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) injury that is going to rule him out for the rest of the season. It’s a real blow, first and foremost for him, being a young player and having an injury as serious as what an ACL is.

“Albeit, it can be quite common in sport and in particular football, but it’s still a serious injury. For it to happen at a young age is a blow for him and a blow for us as well.

“He’s obviously a big talent and a young player, as exciting as he can be at his age, with lots to learn.

“It’s only a pause and we will make sure, as difficult as it is at the moment for him, that he comes back being a stronger player and person, which with the mentality and character that he has, I think will be the case,” the gaffer said.

Fatawu has been a key player for the Foxes, helping them gain promotion last season and has played 11 times for them in the league during the present campaign, scoring two goals.