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Article: S. African Bafana Bafana gets Mandela's bless ahead of make-or-break match
- Article from:
- Xinhua News Agency
- Article date:
- October 8, 2005
CopyrightCopyright 2005 Xinhua News Agency. Provided by ProQuest LLC. (Hide copyright information)
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S. African Bafana Bafana gets Mandela's bless ahead of make-or-
break match
JOHANNESBURG, Oct. 7 (Xinhua) -- South Africa's national soccer
squad had a touch of "Madiba Magic" bestowed upon them on the eve of
their crucial World Cup qualifying match Saturday in Durban.
Former president Nelson Mandela, popularly known as his clan name
"Madiba" at his home country, called Bafana Bafana (The Boys) coach
Stuart Baxter and captain Aaron Mokoena to wish them good luck.
"We are holding thumbs," Mandela reportedly told Baxter, adding
that it was important to remember that in sports "sometimes you win,
and sometimes you lose."
However, Mandela told Mokoena that he has faith in the team and he ...