Khumalo’s appointment was confirmed by the SAFA President, Danny Jordaan, at the conclusion of a three-day meeting of the newly elected SAFA National Executive Committee’s (NEC’s) first meeting in Sandton this past weekend. Speaking on Radio 2000’s Game On Sports show with Thabiso Mosia this week, Khumalo acknowledges the good work that has already been taking place on the technical side at SAFA.

"I've been shadowing this national team and other national teams we have here in South Africa, especially the development side of it and Banyana Banyana. I must praise SAFA because if you look at our development structures, we have excelled above our limits. But now we need to make sure that we don't lose the plot and that we don't lose ourselves," said Khumalo.

Khumalo’s appointment also comes at a critical time when the South African Masters and Legends Football Association (SAMLFA) appears to be an organisation at war with each other and has no representation in the SAFA NEC. The 59-year-old’s appointment comes as a bit of hope that the SA football legend’s voice will be key in this very important sub-committee at SAFA. He’s also hoping that this will open more doors for SA legends to have a voice at the local football mother body.

Khumalo’s role in the rise of SA football over the past three decades needs no introduction, as he scored the first goal in Bafana Bafana’s first game after readmission to international football in 1992, during the 1-0 win over Cameroon in Durban. He was also part of the 1996 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) winning squad in 1996. He’s receiving this new appointment with some humility.

SA football legends have always complained of being sidelined when it comes to critical decisions about the current state and future of the game, Khumalo is also quick to point out that this will be more of a collective approach to benefit the country and not a personal input from him.