The Chief Executive Officer of the South Africa Football Association, Lydia Monyepao, on Tuesday, June 10, hosted the Edo State Football Association board member, Kennedy Ughodaga, at the country’s football house.
Kennedy Ugbodaga, who is in South Africa on a work trip, was warmly received at the SAFA House, Nasrec South, Johannesburg, by the Chief Executive Officer, Lydia Monyepao.
The football administrator, a photojournalist, was taken around the football house on a short trip where he saw first-hand the rich historical settings adorned by the names, pictures, jerseys and other memorabilia of South African football legends.
Lydia Monyepao who warmly received the Edo FA senior official, expressed her excitement in welcoming the football administrator from the ancient city of Benin.
She recounted a lot she know about Nigeria, citing the country’s enviable successes in the continent’s football ecosystem.
“We are glad to have you in our country and we are excited to show you around.”
She encouraged the Edo FA to enhance their efforts and embrace innovative approaches in their policy-making, aligning with best global practices in football.
The Edo FA board member, a CAF/UEFA/FIFA accredited photojournalist, in return, thanked the CEO for her warm reception and for the survenir while noting that the state FA, under the leadership of Fred Newton, will look forward to future partnership with the country.
Monyepao, who was appointed as the Chief Operations Officer in 2021, became SAFA’s first-ever female CEO following the shock resignation of her boss, Advocate Tebogo Mothlante, in 2023, she has since raised her stock with innovative programs and ideas for the country’s football.
The former Banyana Banyana has also overseen the launching of the Women’s Football Strategy which she sees as a guiding document that will supervise the continued growth of women’s football in South Africa from grassroots to elite —local to international, which will ensure a defined pathway that will see the professionalization of women’s football and create sustainable programs in the country.
The South African football CEO meanwhile handed Kennedy Ugbodaga SAFA souvenirs as a take-home gift.