Bafana Bafana legend Doctor Khumalo has been appointed vice-chairperson of the South African Football Association's technical committee. The 59-year-old's role was confirmed by SAFA President Danny Jordaan at the conclusion of the National Executive Committee's first meeting in Sandton on 21 October.

Khumalo, a key member of the 1996 Africa Cup of Nations-winning squad, is tasked with bringing his vast experience to bear on national team development. He famously scored the first goal for South Africa after its readmission to international football in a 1-0 win over Cameroon in 1992.

Focus on development

The former midfield maestro stated he is yet to receive a formal outline of his duties and has not yet met with committee chairperson Jack Maluleke. He emphasised that his appointment is about serving the nation's football structures, not personal recognition.

"This is not about Doc Khumalo," Khumalo said. "This is an entity of the nation, and the demands of the game need to be adhered to for us to be able to give a proper programme to serve the nation."

He has been observing the senior men's and women's teams, along with youth sides, and praised SAFA's developmental work. "I must praise SAFA because if you look at our development structures, we have excelled above our limits," he noted. "But now we need to make sure that we don't lose the plot and that we don't lose ourselves."

Khumalo is a strong advocate for former players taking up administrative roles within the association to guide the game's future.

Building on momentum

The appointment comes as the senior men's team builds positive momentum. South Africa's most recent outing was a 1-0 away victory over Egypt in a friendly on 4 October, with Promise Dithejane scoring the winner in the 51st minute. That result extends an unbeaten run and provides a solid platform ahead of key fixtures.

The immediate focus for the technical committee will be supporting the team through its upcoming 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. Bafana Bafana face back-to-back matches against Kenya in November, a key phase in the campaign to return to the continental finals. The team's recent form, with 3 wins and 2 draws from their last 5 matches, offers a strong foundation for these key games.

Background and full detail: sabcsport.com