“I’m not supporting Nematandani as an individual but the new executive as a whole. For me, anyone would have had my support if they lead football in the country with dignity.

“If there are people who would like to take legal action and challenge the new Safa leadership, then it is their right to do so,” Sono said. “We live in a democratic country where people have rights, so there is nothing wrong with them practising their rights.”

He also told Sowetan that the World Cup should not determine how people went about their business.

“People have this distorted view that everything in the country has to take a back seat to the World Cup, but the tournament will come and go. So whoever wants to proceed with legal action has every right to do so and cannot be denied their right to take the matter to arbitration because of the World Cup,” he said.

He also denied that he was supporting the new Safa leadership to spite PSL chairperson Irvin Khoza. “Why would I want to spite him? I have absolutely nothing to gain from that. The only time I have any sort of association with him is through football matters,” said Sono, sounding rather agitated.

He said he would have supported Khoza had the Orlando Pirates boss won the elections.

Safa deputy president Chief Mwelo Nonkonyana said it was unfortunate that the matter was still going on. “It would be very important if everyone worked together and rallied behind the new leadership. But you can take a horse to the water but you cannot force it to drink water.

“We have extended a hand to them (the Khoza camp) to work together with us because we recognise them as important members in our football,” Nonkonyana said.

He also said it was unfortunate that some football administrators have been going to the media to voice their opinions.Sowetan

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