Football practitioners in the Capricorn region convened at Peter Mokaba Stadium on 24 March 2026 for a media press conference aimed at addressing ongoing challenges affecting football in Limpopo.
The session was led by former SAFA Capricorn president Abel Rakoma, who currently serves as the spokesperson for Magesi Football Club in the Betway Premiership. The engagement brought together club owners, league organisers, and SAFA officials, creating a platform to exchange ideas and confront key issues impacting the province’s football landscape.
One of the central concerns raised was the alleged corruption involving certain provincial SAFA NEC members, which participants said continues to hinder the growth and development of football in the region. Reflecting on his tenure, Rakoma acknowledged the difficulties he faced but maintained that football was administered fairly under his leadership, with teams receiving funding and playing kits on time. He contrasted this with the current situation, noting that in the past five years, many chairpersons have had to personally fund their teams.
Former Orlando Pirates player Jacky Styles Ledwaba also addressed the gathering, criticising media outlets such as SABC Thobela for what he described as limited coverage of football development, with more focus placed on local tournaments. Former Banyana Banyana player Rachel Sebati echoed concerns about the lack of recognition for former players who made significant contributions to the sport.
The conference concluded on a constructive note, with stakeholders sharing proposals and committing to steps aimed at improving football development and governance in Limpopo.
Efforts to obtain comment from the SAFA Provincial Secretary were unsuccessful at the time of publication.