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Leopards Brand Manager Tshifhiwa Thidiela disclosed to www.supersoccer.co.za that plans are at already an advanced stage to play the proposed match during the break that will accommodate the African Nations Cup tournament in Ghana between January 20 and February 10.
“We have already agreed with Costa do Sol to stage the game during that period,” said Thidiela. “We just have to agree on a specific date otherwise all the logistics have been taken care of and we are hoping to honour Matola on an annual basis in this manner,” added Thidiela.
“We hope to finalize the exact date before our Absa Premiership match against Kaizer Chiefs in order to notify our players about the proposed date. As people are already aware, players would be going on a Christmas break and it is only fair that they be notified on time about the match.
“This will give the Technical department and the players ample time to prepare adequately for the match in the full knowledge about the travelling that will be required to go honour Matola, who incidentally captained both Costa do Sol and Leopards during his lifetime.”
Matola reportedly lost control of his vehicle somewhere near Duiwelskloof while on his way to Maputo to join the Mozambican national team that was preparing for an African Nations Cup qualifying match against Tanzania in Dar es Salaam during October.
The car crashed against a tree and burst into flames, burning all occupants including his wife and two toddlers beyond recognition. The Mozambican “Mambas” travelled to Tanzania for their final qualifying match and stunned 60 000 locals who were packed into the newly opened national stadium with a 1-0 victory.
Elias “Dominguez” Pelembe waltzed past two defenders and raced down the wing, pulled back his cross for Manuel “Tico-Tico” Bucuane who squeezed the ball into the tiniest of angles for the only goal of the match which they dedicated to their fallen compatriot.
