SuperSport United CEO Stan Matthews admits it will be difficult to replace Irvin Khoza as the Premier Soccer League (PSL) chairman.
Khoza’s current term comes to an end this year.
He was re-elected unopposed in 2020 after first taking up the position in 2003.
It is not yet clear if Khoza will stand for another term, leaving Matthews uncertain as to who could fill the post.
The Matsatsantsa boss said in the Sowetan: “I think the chairman has been an unbelievable leader for SA football: as chairman of the PSL, the World Cup 2010 and Orlando Pirates, the brand that they have developed not just in SA but on the African continent,” Matthews told the media.
“Right now, we are sitting in the number one league in Africa. We have four fully sponsored competitions that are unique in Africa. There is no other league in the continent that has a sponsored league and three sponsored domestic cup competitions.
“I think we would be foolish to wish away the leadership that brought us the best broadcast deal on the continent and the best league. I think in today’s culture, people want change and want to see it quickly. With this one, we have to be careful. There are very big shoes to fill when Khoza and [Kaizer] Motaung step away.
“Hopefully, the younger ones of us, that had the privilege of seeing firsthand how to build the number one league in Africa, can take this forward.”
Matthews added: “We have to take it forward with other young fresh guys. Hopefully, Sandile Zungu, [and] Tim Sukazi, who are established business people, and can add a lot of value to local football.
“I mean, it is inevitable that at some point Dr Khoza and Dr Motaung are going to leave us. The question is, which of us is ready to put up our hands to take the button forward and build the legacy that has been provided for us, which has been good.
“They might not be standing next time around, but we will have to look around and see who is ready to fill those shoes because they are big ones to fill.”
