Mandela likely to make appearance at the final

Jul 11, 2010 |

IANS

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Johannesburg: There is a strong possibility that national icon Nelson Mandela will make an appearance at Sunday's World Cup final between Spain and the Netherlands at Soccer City, a source working for the tournament's local organizing committee (LOC) said.

"It's looking very good now," the LOC employee DPA.

FIFA and the LOC have issued an open invitation to the frail 91- year-old former President, who had been expected to attend part of the opening game on June 11 in Soccer City but withdrew after his great grand-daughter was killed in a car crash that morning.

Football's ruling body stated earlier Sunday that any decision on Mandela's presence at the game would be decided by his family shortly before kick-off.

Mandela, who turns 92 a week after the final, has curtailed his public appearances in recent years, spending most of his time at home with family.

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