Newly re-elected South African Football Association (SAFA) deputy president Natasha Tsichlas has ruled out ambitions of becoming the association’s president, saying her priority is developing women’s football and helping South African football grow.

Tsichlas will serve another four-year term as one of SAFA’s three elected deputy presidents, alongside Linda Zwane and newcomer Tankiso Modipa. The trio were selected during an ordinary meeting of the association’s National Executive Committee (NEC) in Sandton.

The appointments place Tsichlas in a senior administrative role as SAFA continues working towards its Vision 2030 objectives under president Danny Jordaan, who recently secured a fourth term after defeating AmaZulu owner Sandile Zungu.

Despite her position in the association’s leadership, Tsichlas says she has no desire to eventually take over the presidency.

“I don’t think I will one day become the president of SAFA; I am very happy to be where I am,” she told KickOff.

Rather than pursuing the top position, the veteran football administrator wants to use her experience to strengthen opportunities for women in the game, particularly within South Africa’s national teams.

“What’s important to me is to develop more women into our national teams, specifically Banyana Banyana, and other levels of women’s football. My passion has always been about women in football,” she said.

Banyana Banyana, South Africa’s senior women’s national team, remains a key focus for Tsichlas as she looks to support the development of female players across different levels of the sport.

She also described her responsibilities as involving the implementation of effective policies, ensuring that SAFA operates properly and providing advice to the president.

Her comments suggest that she sees her current position as an opportunity to contribute to the administration and development of football without seeking the association’s highest office.

Tsichlas also expressed confidence in the progress of South Africa’s national teams, saying the sport continues to grow and that the association’s main responsibility should remain football itself.

“Our business is football; we are there for football. We are there to help and develop,” she said.

“I want football to win, anything else to me it’s not important.”

Her remarks underline a clear focus on administration, development and creating more opportunities for women in South African football during her new four-year term.

Source: https://x.com/kickoffmagazine/status/2113323247118798890?s=46