FIFA President Sepp Blatter has confirmed that they will be holding a Nelson Mandela moment before every FIFA Club World Cup match in the tournament that gets underway in Morocco. This is a sign of respect to the departed South Africa’s first democratically elected President. During last week’s 2014 World Cup draw in Brazil, FIFA paid tribute to Madiba who passed away aged 95. Blatter says the international icon will forever remain in their thoughts…

Madiba will be laid to rest in his home village of Qunu near Mthatha in the Eastern Cape on December 15.

Madiba a former amateur boxer played an important role in South Africa’s re-admission into international football in 1992. He engaged the then FIFA President Joao Havelange and Blatter who was a Secretary-General to pave the way for SAFA to be re-accepted to FIFA after an international ban due to Apartheid. Blatter says Madiba’s has always believed in the game of billions in changing the world…

Mandela was also instrumental in securing the 2010 World Cup for South Africa, his role in swaying those 14 votes towards his country of birth is well documented. Blatter says it had always been Madiba’s dream to see the World Cup taking place in South Africa…Journalist: Velile Mbuli