BOIPATONG.- No doubt, Senzo Mbatha has the potential to become SAFA President if his recent success as a football administrator is anything to go by.

This Boipatong-born football administrator has proven beyond doubt that he is following in the footstep of legendary former SAFA President Dr Molefi Oliphant who happens to become from this region. Mbatha who was part of the 2010 World Cup Local Organising Committee has already made name for himself in African football. He has now been appointed Chief Executive Officer of Botswana Football Association.

Mbatha, formerly known as Mazingiza proved his football administration ability when he was with Orlando Pirates and Platinum Stars before heading to East Africa to join Simba and Young Africans. His success was there for everyone to see when he led both teams to treble.

TOUCHLINE has no doubt that Mbatha is following in the footsteps of Dr Oliphant considering his success in a short space of time in African football.

Typical of Vaal people, we don’t see gold right in our eyes until somebody takes it. Senzo and Potso Mohami who happened to come from Boipatong and Bophelong respectively can’t be ignored anymore. These two young football administrators continue to hoist Sedibeng’s flag high even though we don’t give them the recognition they deserve.

For how long will we as a region continue ignoring such talent just because they are not football players? We have a bad tendency as a region to recognize only soccer players and forget we have upcoming football administrators from this region who serve at the highest level of football. This is because we have selective memories, to say the least. What else do these two have to do to prove that they are among the best football administrators of their generation? The two have been traveling the world to serve our football.

This region has been blessed not only with talented soccer players but also with football administrators including the referees since the day of George Tladi, Jonas Nhlapo, Thys Mokoena, Jack Leboko, and many others.

TOUCHLINE believes that Mbatha is the right candidate in the next SAFA election even if he can become deputy president to learn from those who have been there, and done it. This is how you groom the next generation in leadership positions.