Johannesburg, Tuesday, 28 October 2008 – It’s the 14th edition of the Nelson Mandela Challenge and the Olympia Park Stadium grounds will be shaken by the roars of South Africa’s supporters when Bafana Bafana take on Cameroon on Wednesday, 19th November in the North West city of Rustenburg (20h30 kickoff).
Cameroon, currently in 12th position on the FIFA world rankings and the top ranked side on the African continent, were the first team to take on South Africa, following the Rainbow Nation’s return to international soccer in 1992.
Bafana go into the encounter ranked 85th in the world and 20th in Africa.
The hosts will be keen to get back on the winning trail on the Nelson Mandela Challenge front after having gone down 1-0 to the USA, in last year’s encounter played at Ellis Park in Johannesburg.
SAFA CEO Raymond Hack says that soccer matches involving Bafana Bafana and Cameroon are usually closely contested affairs, and supporters in the North West Province will be encouraged to take full advantage of witnessing top class African soccer in their province.
“From a SAFA perspective, we are delighted that Cameroon has accepted our invitation to participate in the annual Nelson Mandela Challenge, which is held in honour of our former President, Nelson Mandela,” says Hack.
“We trust that soccer enthusiasts will be treated to 90 minutes of skill, passion and flair. We are proud to be working in conjunction with the event sponsor Royal Bafokeng Holdings and in association with the project beneficiary, the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund.”
Royal Bafokeng Holdings Executive: Public Affairs, Mpueleng Pooe says that the Nelson Mandela Challenge is an integral part of SA soccer and a once in a while opportunity for the people of the North West Province to experience true international football magic.
“Royal Bafokeng Holdings is proud to be the official sponsor of the Nelson Mandela Challenge and following the success of last year’s event, we are delighted to bring the soccer showpiece closer to Phokeng and the North West Province, by hosting the event at Olympia Park,” says Pooe.
“We also urge all the football followers from outside the region to make the trip to Rustenburg and enjoy the warm hospitality that our people are known for.”
Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund Programmes Director, Moipone Buda-Ramatlo says: “The Nelson Mandela Challenge is the perfect platform to increase the awareness of the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund, and the objectives that this organisation sets out to achieve, in raising funds to help the less fortunate children and youth throughout our country.”
Match tickets are on sale at Computicket outlets, Shoprite, Checkers and Checkers Hyper at a cost of R30 (adults) and R20 (scholars). Tickets will not be on sale at the stadium on match day and supporters are urged to purchase their tickets well in advance to avoid the disappointment of missing out on African soccer action at its best.
Stadium gates will open at 16h30 on match day and supporters are encouraged to get to the stadium early with the first 5000 supporters through the gates each receiving a free Nelson Mandela Challenge t-shirt.
| Date | Venue | Team 01 | Team 02 | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17 November 2007 | Ellis Park, Johannesburg | South Africa | United States of America | United States of America won 1-0 |
| 15 November 2006 | Brentford, London | South Africa | Egypt | Egypt won 1-0 |
| 12 November 2005 | EPRU stadium, Port Elizabeth | South Africa | Senegal | Senegal won 3-2 |
| 17 November 2004 | Ellis Park, Johannesburg | South Africa | Nigeria | South Africa won 2-1 |
| 11 October 2003 | Olen Park, Potchefstroom | South Africa | Costa Rica | South Africa won 2-1 |
| 19 November 2002 | Ellis Park, Johannesburg | South Africa | Senegal | Match ended 1-all, Senegal won 4-1 on penalties |
| 07 October 2000 | Ellis Park, Johannesburg | South Africa | France | Match ended goalless |
| 27 November 1999 | Loftus stadium, Pretoria | South Africa | Sweden | South Africa won 1-0 |
| 16 December 1998 | FNB stadium, Johannesburg | South Africa | Egypt | South Africa won 2-1 |
| 04 June 1997 | FNB stadium, Johannesburg | South Africa | Netherlands | Netherlands won 2-0 |
| 24 April 1996 | FNB stadium, Johannesburg | South Africa | Brazil | Brazil won 3-2 |
| 13 May 1995 | Ellis Park, Johannesburg | South Africa | Argentina | Match ended 1-all |
| 12 May 1994 | Ellis Park, Johannesburg | South Africa | Zambia | South Africa won 2-1 |
Morio Sanyane (SAFA)
Mobile: 082 990 0835
Maggie Sekoto (Forever Marketing)
Mobile: 082 902 3780
