SAFA, FIFA mourn Mandela
South African Football Association chief Danny Jordaan has paid tribute to the former president Nelson Mandela who passed away on Thursday.
The 95-year-old Mandela had been suffering from a lung infection for some time and died shortly before 21:00 on Thursday.
The inspirational leader who is revered the world over left a mark on all aspects of South African life, with football no different.
“Madiba was responsible for lifting the spirits of our football nation from the talks to unite the Association to victory at the 1996 Africa Cup of Nations,” Jordaan said in a statement.
“He served as the catalyst in our bid for the 2010 FIFA World Cup.”
FIFA president Sepp Blatter expressed his sympathies over the loss of a man who inspired so many.
“It is in deep mourning that I pay my respects to an extraordinary person, probably one of the greatest humanists of our time and a dear friend of mine: Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela,” said Blatter.
“He and I shared an unwavering belief in the extraordinary power of football to unite people in peace and friendship, and to teach basic social and educational values as a school of life.
“When he was honoured and cheered by the crowd at Johannesburg’s Soccer City stadium on 11 July 2010, it was as a man of the people, a man of their hearts, and it was one of the most moving moments I have ever experienced. For him, the World Cup in South Africa truly was ‘a dream come true’.
“Nelson Mandela will stay in our hearts forever. The memories of his remarkable fight against oppression, his incredible charisma and his positive values will live on in us and with us.
“As a mark of respect and mourning, the flags of the 209 member associations at the Home of Fifa will be flown at half-mast and there will be a minute’s silence before the next round of international matches.”