Irvin Khoza set for another term as PSL chairperson

At 76, Irvin Khoza is set for another four years as chairperson. The Premier Soccer League has revealed its nominees for executive committee roles ahead of the elections next month.

Khoza is running unopposed. A well-known quote from Kenyan lawyer and activist Patrick Lumumba says:

“Time limits are good. No matter how good a dancer you are, it is important to know when to leave the stage.”

This applies to many areas of life, especially in leadership roles where important decisions are made.

So, it’s no surprise that some people are concerned about the PSL’s announcement that Khoza will run unopposed in the elections on 23 November 2024.

Khoza, who also chairs Orlando Pirates, has led the PSL since 2003 and has played a key role in its growth, including securing a significant broadcast rights deal in 2007 worth over R1 billion.

Major sponsors like MTN, Nedbank, and Carling Black Label likely credit Khoza for helping to build these relationships.

Even when the second tier of South African soccer lost its main sponsor, Khoza’s influence led to the Motsepe Foundation stepping in quickly.

“I picked up the phone and spoke to (Patrice) Motsepe. Some of the executives at the PSL didn’t know about this because I wasn’t sure whether it would succeed,” Khoza said in 2022 when the foundation was announced as a sponsor. His strong influence makes many believe he’s irreplaceable in his role, as Cape Town City owner John Comitis mentioned recently.

“There are two or three candidates who could take over, but it’s never going to be easy. The bar is set high,” Comitis said.

Khoza’s level of experience is unmatched, and he continually finds ways to improve the league, making it hard for anyone to follow in his footsteps.

Even though Khoza is likely to serve another four years, he won’t be in this role forever.

The question is whether he has done enough to prepare potential successors.

Danny Jordaan, president of the South African Football Association, has also stressed the need for a succession plan.

He is currently in his third term after being re-elected in 2022 and has said that his supporters want him to ensure he has a plan in place for when he steps down in 2026.

“That’s one of the reasons some members said ‘you can’t just drop the ball and go. You must have a succession plan.’ I heard them and we agreed. It’s not like I woke up one morning and said I want a third term,” Jordaan explained.

“That’s far from the truth. I thought I had made my contribution, but now I must manage the vision for 2030 and create a plan,” he added.

Both Jordaan and Khoza have been significant figures in advancing South African soccer, but as Lumumba suggests, they should have stepped down voluntarily some time ago.

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