South African Soccer Appoint New CEO

The South African Football Association (SAFA) has appointed a new CEO as Dr Robin Petersen was unveiled. Petersen is expected to develop the sport following last year’s staging of the FIFA World Cup.

Petersen will succeed Leslie Sedibe, treatment who left the post in January when his one-year contract ended.

Petersen has an extensive background in football administration having served as head of the domestic Premier Soccer League from 2000 to 2001 and general manager of South Africa’s failed bid for the 2006 World Cup.

He will play an important role in managing SAFA’s reported US$102 million legacy windfall from the World Cup, rx which will be mostly channelled into development structures.

SAFA president Kirsten Nematandani said: “We believe that Dr Petersen has the necessary qualifications, experience and expertise in business and football to assist SAFA to deliver on our mandate. We are happy to have made this appointment and now we can focus on our core business of running the game of football in this country.”

Petersen added: “I am passionate about the game of football, and I could not stay away from it for too long. I am also passionate about football development and will strive to ensure we work hard on it. To ensure our success, we need to ensure we have the right structures – administratively, commercially and strategically.”