Stars on parade for Mandela match

The game, which will serve as a tribute to the legendary South African statesman and coincide with his 89th birthday, will assemble winners of all of the major titles in world football, including the FIFA World Cup, the European Championship, the African Cup of Nations and the UEFA Champions League.

Football legends past and present including Brazil’s Pelé, three-time African player of the year Samuel Eto’o of Cameroon and former European player of the year Ruud Gullit of the Netherlands will be taking part in the celebrations and the match itself.

Tickets for this unique game are on sale now. Available at Computicket and Shoprite outlets, they are priced at ZAR 30 for general admission, ZAR 50 for grandstand seats and ZAR 120 for suite tickets. The points of sale will also be open on the day of the match.

The African XI will appear in all white outfit for the commemorative match the World XI on the other hand will appear in an all black jersey.

Coaches Jean Manga from Cameroon and Jomo Sono of South Africa will tinker the African side, their world XI counterpart will be coached by the duo of Roy Hodgson of England and Claude Le Roy from France.

Players who have confirm their participation includes goalkeepers Badou Zaki of Morocco and Songo'O Jacques of Cameroon, on the defence line-up for the African side are Nigeria's Austine Eguaveon, Mark Fish of South Africa, former Super Eagles captain and Togo coach Stephen Keshi, South African Doctor Khumalo, Ugandan David Obua, Cameroon Stephen Tataw and Nigeria Uche Okechukwu.

In the midfield/attack of the African XI are Abede Pele, Daniel Amokachi, Kalusha Bwalya, Samuel Eto'O, Hassan Hossam, Lomana Lualua, Rabah Madjer, Pedro Mantorras, Pkil Masinga, Oman Biyik, Dennis Oliech, Samson Siasia and George Opong Weah.

For the World XI are goalkeeper, Andoni Zubizarreta from Spain, defenders Zoubaier Baya, Christain Karembeu, Gary Mabbutt, Patrick Mboma, Santos Muntubile and Lucas Radebe while in the middle and the attack formation of the world XI has such names as, Daei Ali from Iran, Emilio Butragueno, Stephane Chapuisat, Youssouf Fofana, Julen Guerrero, Ruud Gullit, Nascimento de Aruaja Leonardo, Pele, Fernando Redondo, Wynton Rufer and Ivan Zamorano.