S. African champions to play Barcelona to commemorate Mandela

Johannesburg May 11 (IANS) South African Premier League champions Mamelodi Sundowns will play a friendly football match with Barcelona to commemorate Nelson Mandela.

This was announced by Jeff Radebe the chairperson of the inter-ministerial committee on the centenary of Nelson Mandela here on Thursday reports Xinhua news agency.

Radebe said the match is an attempt to do what Mandela championed to unite people across borders.

"The globalisation of the icon Mandela could not have been done better than the football exhibition that will be displayed by the two teams each one of them a drawer of crowds display of style and consistency but following in Mandela s footsteps of uniting people across regions and continents " said Radebe.

Mandela was born in July 18 1918. Many events have been lined up to commemorate his birthday.

--IANS
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