11 May 2018 – SAFA President, Dr Danny Jordaan has thanked Mamelodi Sundowns owner, Patrice Motsepe for making it possible to bring one of the world’s best teams (Barcelona) to South Africa to commemorate the Nelson Mandela Centenary celebration.
The SAFA President, Mamelodi Sundowns owner (Patrice Motsepe) and Antonio Barradas, LaLiga’s Africa Director, were all involved in negotiations to bring the Spanish champions to South Africa where they will play their South African counterparts Sundowns as part of the Nelson Mandela Centenary celebrations.
“We are glad that Barcelona are coming to our shores and the soccer loving public will have an opportunity to watch the best talent in action; we are talking of Messi and Suarez of this world,” said Dr Jordaan who together with the Sundowns owner and Barradas were involved in the negotiations of bringing the Spanish champions here.
Dr Jordaan lauded Motsepe’s shrewd businessman acumen saying he had witnessed for himself why the Sundowns owner was a winner through and through. He also took time this week to thank CAF and other football stakeholders for accommodating this important clash between the two countries’ club champions.
“We need to thank CAF for allowing Sundowns to postpone their CAF Champions League game against Horoya AC to enable the PSL champions to fulfil this important fixture in honour of Nelson Mandela. But most importantly, we need to thank Patrice Motsepe for his generous attitude and making this clash a reality. We as SAFA are proud of (Patrice) Motsepe and his Nation Building vision,” added Dr Jordaan.
Dr Jordaan, (Patrice) Motsepe and Barradas travelled to the Catalan capital where they also watched the El Classico on Sunday evening between Barcelona and Real Madrid which ended in a 2-2 draw before sealing the agreement for the titanic clash that will take place on Wednesday at FNB Stadium at 18h00.
“This is one of the most memorable years in remembrance of our Father of the Nation. He would have turned 100 years this year and we need to celebrate this in style. SAFA as an organisation has worked hard to make the Barcelona v Sundowns clash a reality.
Tickets for the encounter have gone on sale and are selling at a high-speed meaning come Wednesday, Soccer City will be buzzing as thousands and thousands of football fans from all walks of life are expected to witness a clash between Spain and South African champions.