After failing to win the race for the South African Football Association presidency role, Ria Ledwaba has accepted the defeat to Danny Jordaan.

Ledwaba penned a lengthy piece on social media congratulating the president who retained his seat through the elections last weekend.

The former Ria Stars boss collected 27 votes compared to the 186 that were obtained by Jordaan in Sandton on Saturday.

Ledwaba, a former vice-president of SAFA was selected amongst Jordaan and Solly Mohlabeng as the three endorsed candidates to run for Presidency in the 2022 elections.

According to the rules, she is no longer eligible for the vice-presidency and after the outcome, she issued a message of gratitude for the support during the campaign.

“Thank you for the support. The regions have voted and I accept the outcome,” Ledwaba said on social media.

“I will continue to implement the manifesto through my foundation as the fight to rectify football governance continues. I’m a servant of the game. football was the biggest loser yesterday!”

As things stand, Jordaan’s confirmation on Saturday means he will be leading SAFA for his third and final term as the leader at SAFA after first coming into power in 2013 as he succeeded Kirsten Nematandani.

SAFA CEO Tebogo Motlanthe also clarified Ledwaba’s role in the organisation, saying she is no longer a member of the executive.

“Ria is no longer a member of the national executive committee — she only contested the presidency, she did not qualify to run for the NEC,” Motlanthe said.

“So if she’s no longer a member of the NEC she can’t be a vice-president. The only automatic vice-president is the chair of the league, and the others must come from the NEC.”

Main Image: Face of Malawi