Kaizer Chiefs legend Doctor Khumalo has taken on a major role in shaping South African football's future. The 1996 Africa Cup of Nations winner was confirmed as the deputy chairperson of the South African Football Association's Technical Committee following a National Executive Committee meeting in Sandton on Sunday.
SAFA President Danny Jordaan announced the appointment, which sees the 59-year-old former Bafana Bafana midfielder deputising for committee chairman Jack Maluleke. The Technical Committee is responsible for analysing football training, improving coaching methods, and organising courses for instructors and administrators nationwide.
Khumalo's mandate includes recommending national team coaches, proposing development initiatives, and advising the NEC. He is already formulating a strategy focused on standardising coaching methods and creating clear youth pathways for national teams. He stressed the need for a collective effort and alignment within SAFA's hierarchy to move football forward.
The Chiefs icon also called for more former players to be appointed to technical roles, believing their experience can accelerate the sport's revival in the country. Khumalo brings prior experience from roles as an assistant coach at Kaizer Chiefs and technical director at Baroka FC. He has not yet met with chairperson Jack Maluleke to formalise the committee's strategy.
This appointment comes as his former club, Kaizer Chiefs, handles a challenging Premier Soccer League season. The team currently sits fifth with 14 points from eight matches, a position that shows the need for the technical excellence Khumalo's new role aims to foster. Their campaign has seen them score an average of 1.25 goals per game while conceding 0.75, resulting in a total goal difference of plus four. The club's next fixture is a key away Soweto Derby against arch-rivals Orlando Pirates, who are second in the table, on Saturday, 31 October.
Their recent form shows one win, three draws, and one defeat from the last five outings, a period you can review on our fixtures page. The club's need for a clear development pathway is highlighted by their current league standing, nine points behind leaders Mamelodi Sundowns. Khumalo's new role at the national body could have long-term implications for the talent pipeline feeding into clubs like Chiefs. His first task will be to convene with Maluleke and outline a concrete plan for South African football's technical direction.
First reported at Goal.com
