10 May 2018 – Mamelodi Sundowns announced today that it will be hosting La Liga Champions Barcelona FC at 18:00 on Wednesday 16 May 2018 at the FNB Stadium as part of the Nelson Mandela Centenary Celebrations.
Mamelodi Sundowns and the Motsepe Foundation are partnering with the inter-ministerial committee of the South African government that is responsible for the Nelson Mandela Centenary Celebrations, the Nelson Mandela Foundation, SAFA and La Liga.
Mamelodi Sundowns is grateful to the PSL for having approved the match and to CAF for having moved Mamelodi Sundowns match against Horoya AC in Guinea Conakry.
The President of Mamelodi Sundowns and Chairman of the Motsepe Foundation, Mr Patrice Motsepe expressed his gratitude to all the partners and stakeholders who have contributed and assisted in ensuring that the match between Mamelodi Sundowns and Barcelona takes place.
Mr Patrice Motsepe said “Mamelodi Sundowns and the Motsepe Foundation are honoured to play a humble role in the Nelson Mandela Centenary Celebrations in honour of our icon, Dr Nelson Mandela who was respected and inspired people throughout the world. Dr Nelson Mandela often referred to the power of sports and football to unite people from different races and backgrounds. We want our youth who love football to believe that they have the potential to be as good at the best in the world and those who want to be doctors, engineers, technologists or any other professional or entrepreneur to be inspired by the successes of those in football and other sport and to believe that through hard work and sacrifice their dreams can true”.
Echoing the sentiments of the Sundowns boss was SAFA President, Dr Danny Jordaan saying that the Mandela Challenge has always brought the best footballers to the country. “Since the beginning of the Nelson Mandela Challenge, we have always played against big football nations. We have played against Germany, Argentina, Argentina, France and Spain just to name a few. As we celebrate this huge milestone of the Nelson Mandela Centenary we saw it best that we do it through one of the biggest clubs in world football and we are extremely happy to be bringing the best footballers in the world to South Africa” said Jordaan.
The inter-ministerial committee of government was represented by Minister Jeff Radebe, the Department of Sport was represented by Minister Thoko Xasa, Mr Tokyo Sexwale represented the Nelson Mandela Foundation, Dr Danny Jordaan represented SAFA and Mr Antonio Barradas represented La Liga at the press conference.