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Johannesburg - Bafana Bafana want to honour the name of the former president and South African icon when they host USA on Wednesday night.
The national team tackle Bob Bradley's men, who have made five trips to the country in three years, in the annual Nelson Mandela Challenge at Cape Town Stadium.
Pitso Mosimane is unbeaten in the hotseat and wants to continue that trend despite making eight changes to the squad that tackled Sierra Leone in an African Nations Cup qualifier.
The Bafana boss has handed a first call-up to Leeds United striker Davide Somma, while Matthew Pattison, Siyanda Xulu and Daylon Classen re-enter the fray.
Steven Pienaar will don the captain's armband in Aaron Mokoena's absence, while the midfield is without the experienced MacBeth Sibaya.
Mosimane wants Bafana to keep climbing up the rankings, but is expecting an under-strength USA team to be just as well-drilled and disciplined as their usual 11.
"US is a strong team, they didn't bring some of their players (but) I have made eight changes," he said, pointing out that selecting experimental sides for friendlies is a world phenomenon.
"I think it's about time me and Bradley made changes. It's time to bring in new players, it's the time to give the other guys a chance.
"(But) we are not just playing anybody, we are playing the team that has qualified for all the World Cups since 1994. We are playing a tactically disciplined team, a team that has had good physical preparation."
Mosimane has a welcome selection headache in midfield. Siphiwe Tshabalala, Steven Pienaar, Thanduyise Khuboni, Daylon Claasen, Reneilwe Letsholonyane, Andile Jali, Teko Modise, Mathew Pattison and Kagisho Dikgacoi are all hoping to start across the middle of the park.
"We have six subs and I will try and give them a chance," said the coach.
"It's a jam-packed midfield and it's not easy but Matthew Pattinson deserves a chance. Andile Jali has been a star, he's a gem."
Team doctor Ephraim Nematswerani has confirmed that all players in camp are fit and in contention to feature.
Only five of the USA's World Cup squad are included in Bradley's charge for the clash, with his touring party averaging just 24 years of age.
According to US Soccer's official website: "Robbie Findley started three of four matches, missing the Algeria game due to yellow card suspension.
"Jonathan Bornstein started at left back in the 1-0 victory against Algeria and the Round of 16 defeat to Ghana. Clarence Goodson, Guzan and Jonathan Spector were on the 23-man roster."
Gale Agbossoumonde, Teal Bunbury, Dominic Cervi, Mikkel Diskerud, Tim Ream and 17-year-old Juan Agudelo all have the chance to make their USA debuts on Wednesday night.
Bradley is looking forward to testing his young guns as he also builds towards Vision 2014.
Phillip may not be at Cape Town Stadium on Wednesday night, but for the locals it is enough to know that Bafana Bafana will finally play some football in the city after a three-year absence.
The national team tackle Bob Bradley's men, who have made five trips to the country in three years, in the annual Nelson Mandela Challenge at Cape Town Stadium.
Pitso Mosimane is unbeaten in the hotseat and wants to continue that trend despite making eight changes to the squad that tackled Sierra Leone in an African Nations Cup qualifier.
The Bafana boss has handed a first call-up to Leeds United striker Davide Somma, while Matthew Pattison, Siyanda Xulu and Daylon Classen re-enter the fray.
Steven Pienaar will don the captain's armband in Aaron Mokoena's absence, while the midfield is without the experienced MacBeth Sibaya.
Mosimane wants Bafana to keep climbing up the rankings, but is expecting an under-strength USA team to be just as well-drilled and disciplined as their usual 11.
"US is a strong team, they didn't bring some of their players (but) I have made eight changes," he said, pointing out that selecting experimental sides for friendlies is a world phenomenon.
"I think it's about time me and Bradley made changes. It's time to bring in new players, it's the time to give the other guys a chance.
"(But) we are not just playing anybody, we are playing the team that has qualified for all the World Cups since 1994. We are playing a tactically disciplined team, a team that has had good physical preparation."
Mosimane has a welcome selection headache in midfield. Siphiwe Tshabalala, Steven Pienaar, Thanduyise Khuboni, Daylon Claasen, Reneilwe Letsholonyane, Andile Jali, Teko Modise, Mathew Pattison and Kagisho Dikgacoi are all hoping to start across the middle of the park.
"We have six subs and I will try and give them a chance," said the coach.
"It's a jam-packed midfield and it's not easy but Matthew Pattinson deserves a chance. Andile Jali has been a star, he's a gem."
Team doctor Ephraim Nematswerani has confirmed that all players in camp are fit and in contention to feature.
Only five of the USA's World Cup squad are included in Bradley's charge for the clash, with his touring party averaging just 24 years of age.
According to US Soccer's official website: "Robbie Findley started three of four matches, missing the Algeria game due to yellow card suspension.
"Jonathan Bornstein started at left back in the 1-0 victory against Algeria and the Round of 16 defeat to Ghana. Clarence Goodson, Guzan and Jonathan Spector were on the 23-man roster."
Gale Agbossoumonde, Teal Bunbury, Dominic Cervi, Mikkel Diskerud, Tim Ream and 17-year-old Juan Agudelo all have the chance to make their USA debuts on Wednesday night.
Bradley is looking forward to testing his young guns as he also builds towards Vision 2014.
Phillip may not be at Cape Town Stadium on Wednesday night, but for the locals it is enough to know that Bafana Bafana will finally play some football in the city after a three-year absence.
