A leading community-based investment company
Logo for print

Company news

Bafana Bafana and the USA set for Nelson Mandela Challenge showdown

11 October 2007

Johannesburg, Wednesday, 10 October 2007 – The 13th edition of the Nelson Mandela Challenge is set to provide SA’s soccer loving fans with a dose of world class, action-packed soccer entertainment when the Bafana Bafana host the United States of America, at Ellis Park stadium, in Johannesburg, on Saturday, 17 November 2007 (15h30 kickoff).

The American visitors are riding high on the FIFA World rankings currently positioned in 18th spot, compared to the 73rd place occupied by Bafana Bafana, but the hosts are expected to put in a passionate, whole-hearted performance as the Rainbow Nation unites behind their cause to mark this special occasion.

SAFA CEO, Raymond Hack said that the Nelson Mandela Challenge has become an institution in SA sport, and thanked Royal Bafokeng Holdings for providing financial support to an event of this magnitude.

“The Nelson Mandela Challenge presents the perfect platform for rising stars to make their mark in a Bafana Bafana jersey, as national coach Carlos Alberto Parreira gets the opportunity to continue building towards a successful unit that will do our country proud when the FIFA 2010 World Cup is hosted on SA and African soil,” said Hack

Royal Bafokeng Holdings Executive: Public Affairs, Mpueleng Pooe said that his company is delighted to be involved with an event of the calibre of the Nelson Mandela Challenge, that honours one of the world’s greatest ambassadors of democracy.

“Royal Bafokeng Holdings has embarked on this sponsorship which will provide an afternoon of world class soccer for the enjoyment of all South Africans, as well as providing financial support for the much needed development work of the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund ,” said Pooe.

“We are pleased to be working in conjunction with SAFA and the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund and look forward to taking this internationally-renowned soccer showpiece to new heights.”

Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund Trustee, Victor Nosi said that the soccer spectacle is the perfect platform to raise the awareness of his organisation and the objectives that have been set.

“The overall goal for the Fund’s Strategic Period 2005-2010 is directed at improving the conditions of children and youth from impoverished backgrounds,” said Nosi.

This Strategic Goal will be achieved or substantially impacted via a concerted focus in Four Programme areas namely:

  • Well being of children
  • Caring for children and youth with Disabilities
  • The upgrading of Skills Development
  • And a move towards the promoting of Leadership and Excellence among the children and the youth

Match tickets are on sale at Shoprite, Checkers, Checkers Hyper or Computicket outlets at a cost of R 50 (Grand Stand) and R 30 (Open Stand). 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 disappointment of missing out on the great occasion.

Mandela Challenge results:

DateVenueTeam 01Team 02Result
12 May 1994Ellis Park, JohannesburgSouth Africa ZambiaSouth Africa won 2-1
13 May 1995Ellis Park, JohannesburgSouth Africa ArgentinaMatch ended 1-all
24 April 1996FNB stadium, JohannesburgSouth Africa BrazilBrazil won 3-2
4 June 1997FNB stadium, JohannesburgSouth Africa NetherlandsNetherlands won 2-0
16 December 1998FNB stadium, JohannesburgSouth Africa EgyptSouth Africa won 2-1
27 November 1999Loftus stadium, PretoriaSouth Africa SwedenSouth Africa won 1-0
7 October 2000Ellis Park, JohannesburgSouth Africa FranceMatch ended goalless
19 November 2002Ellis Park, JohannesburgSouth Africa SenegalMatch ended 1-all, Senegal won 4-1 on penalties
11 October 2003Olen Park, PotchefstroomSouth Africa Costa RicaSouth Africa won 2-1
17 November 2004Ellis Park, JohannesburgSouth Africa NigeriaSouth Africa won 2-1
12 November 2005EPRU stadium, Port ElizabethSouth Africa SenegalSenegal won 3-2
15 November 2006Brentford, LondonSouth Africa EgyptEgypt won 1-0

For further information, please contact:

Morio Sanyane (SAFA)
Mobile: 082 990 0835

Maggie Sekoto (Forever Marketing)
Mobile: 082 902 3780


© 2010 Royal Bafokeng Holdings (Pty) Limited | Site map | Disclaimer | Accessibility