Dr. Thulani Ngwenya, SAFA’s Chief Medical Officer, Steps Down

According to reliable sources obtained by SABC Sport, Dr. Thulani Ngwenya, the Chief Medical Officer of the South African Football Association (SAFA), has resigned from his position and will be on leave until the end of this month. The reasons behind his abrupt resignation remain unclear.

Dr. Ngwenya served SAFA for a decade, having joined the organization in 2014. During his tenure, he worked as the Bafana Bafana team doctor under various coaches, including Shakes Mashaba, Stuart Baxter, and Molefi Ntseki. He also played an integral role in the medical staff of the U17 and U20 men’s and women’s national teams, and briefly served as the team doctor for Banyana Banyana.

Born in Mpumalanga, Dr. Ngwenya became a prominent figure in African football, frequently attending FIFA and CAF competitions, and serving as the Chief Medical Officer at COSAFA tournaments. His reputation grew further during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021, when he worked alongside both SAFA and the Premier Soccer League (PSL) to help return football to normalcy after the disruptions caused by the pandemic.

Dr. Ngwenya’s resignation comes at a time of significant turmoil within SAFA, following reports of financial and operational issues. Recently, there was public outcry over unpaid salaries for Bafana Bafana and Banyana Banyana players and staff, prompting intervention from the office of Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie to help resolve the situation.

Further complicating matters, SAFA President Danny Jordaan and Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Gronie Hluyo are currently facing trial for fraud and theft related to approximately R1.3 million. The case is set to return to court on February 7, 2025.

As SAFA is currently on break for the holiday season and will not reopen until January, it remains unclear whether the Association will seek a replacement for Dr. Ngwenya in the interim.