Soccer scores in Mandela centenary

Netherlands on the cards for SA teams

An action-packed 2018 awaits Bafana Bafana even if they fail to qualify for next year’s World Cup in Russia.

While plans are still being finalised, Safa president Danny Jordaan revealed the association wants all national teams to play an integral part as South Africa celebrates former president Nelson Mandela’s centenary.

“He [Mandela] would have turned 100 next year so we want to celebrate his contribution to football,” Jordaan said.

A proposed schedule for next year includes possible friendlies against the Netherlands for both Bafana and Banyana Banyana, and a Fifa XI against an African XI akin to the one that took place in 1999 at Ellis Park in what was part of a then retiring Mandela’s farewell.

“Football has always been part of Mandela’s life. When he was inaugurated in 1994, he left 120 heads of state at the Union Buildings to come watch Bafana play against Zambia. His last public appearance was the 2010 World Cup final at FNB Stadium,” Jordaan said.

Accompanied by eight officials in his visit to La Liga, Jordaan and his delegation will seek support for Safa’s Vision

2022, whose proposals include an academy in each province.

“We already have a national academy called Fun Valley. There are academies in KwaZulu-Natal, Gauteng, and Free State, and in the Western Cape we have spoken to the university there to house the academy. Our aim is to get our players to Europe at a younger age. And this relationship with La Liga is part of that.”