Seasoned SuperSport United CEO Stan Matthews believes it will not be an easy task to fill PSL boss Irvin Khoza’s shoes. Matthews said this on the backdrop of reports that Khoza is set to step down as the league’s governing body leader. Gauteng News also reported that Khoza’s children want him to step down and allow a new PSL chairman to take over.
The Orlando Pirates’ long-serving football PSL administrator has been at the helm of the Parktown–based body for more than two decades. Khoza’s possible exit from the PSL has caused a stir in the South African football space and it’s reported that the sponsors are panicking.
Khoza: Will It Be Easy to Replace Him as PSL Boss
The SuperSport boss states that it would be immature to part ways with Khoza who has brought massive changes and contributions to the league. According to the latest report, the likes of Cape Town City chairman John Comitis is one of the possible candidates to lead the ship.
“I think we would be foolish to wish away leadership that has brought so much. We’ve got the best broadcast rights deal on the African continent, the best governance, handbook, and compliance manuals,” he said to The Citizen.
“There’s nothing like the PSL anywhere in Africa, I’m proud and passionate about it. I think sometimes in today’s cancel culture, people are itching for change and want to see things change quickly, but in this one, we have to be circumspect. Dr Khoza and Dr Motaung (Kaizer Motaung) have very big shoes to fill. Hopefully, the younger ones who had the privilege of seeing first-hand how to build the number one league on the African continent (will carry on). That’s a big responsibility for us to take forward and whether that kind of younger generation exists in the committee.”
Khoza: SuperSport CEO on Possible Candidate to Lead the PSL
As a seasoned administrator himself, Matthews added that despite the huge responsibility, Comitis, Mato Madlala including himself could lead the governing body. “Guys like John Comitis, myself, and Mato Madlala who has led from a chief executive position and has more than two decades now worth of experience in topflight football,” added Matthews.
“We have to take the game forward with other fresh young guys. Hopefully, the Sandile Zungu’s and Tim Sukazi’s of the world who are really established business people and professionals in their own right can add a lot of value in the football landscape.”
“It’s inevitable that at some point Dr Khoza and Dr Motaung are going to leave us. The question is which one of us is ready to put our hands up and take the baton forward and build on the legacy that they have provided for us. You can’t have a throwaway and cancel culture on that. It’s one thing to say they might not be standing next time around but we have to look around and see who is ready to fill those big shoes.”
Khoza and Motaung are a Rare Breed in Africa
While Motaung could not be a suitable candidate for the role considering his age (79), Matthews argues the Kaizer Chiefs boss is a blessing to the continent. “With Dr Khoza and Dr Motaung, we have been blessed to have leaders like that. Right now, we are sitting as the number one league on the continent.”
“We’ve got four fully sponsored competitions which is unique in Africa. There’s no other league that has a sponsored league, three domestic sponsored cup competitions, a sponsored reserve League, and a sponsored first division,” concluded Matthews.
