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Cape Town - South African Football Association (SAFA) president Danny Jordaan has thanked Mamelodi Sundowns owner Patrice Motsepe for making it possible to bring Barcelona to South Africa.
Jordaan, Motsepe and Antonio Barradas, LaLiga’s Africa Director, were all involved in negotiations to bring the Spanish champions to South Africa where they will play for the for the Mandela Centenary Cup.
“We are glad that Barcelona are coming to our shores" said Jordaan as quoted by the official SAFA website.
"The soccer loving public will have an opportunity to watch the best talent in action; we are talking of Messi and Suarez of this world."
Jordaan lauded Motsepe’s shrewd businessman acumen saying he had witnessed for himself why the Sundowns owner was a winner through and through.
He also took time this week to thank CAF and other football stakeholders for accommodating this important clash between the two countries’ club champions.
"We need to thank CAF for allowing Sundowns to postpone their CAF Champions League game against Horoya AC to enable the PSL champions to fulfill this important fixture in honour of Nelson Mandela," said Jordaan.
"But most importantly, we need to thank Patrice Motsepe for his generous attitude and making this clash a reality. We as SAFA are proud of (Patrice) Motsepe and his Nation Building vision."
Jordaan, Motsepe and Barradas travelled to the Catalan capital where they also watched the El Classico on Sunday evening between Barcelona and Real Madrid which ended in a 2-2 draw before sealing the agreement for the titanic clash that will take place on Wednesday at FNB Stadium at 18:00.
"This is one of the most memorable years in remembrance of our Father of the Nation," said Jordaan.
"He would have turned 100 years this year and we need to celebrate this in style.
"SAFA as an organisation has worked hard to make the Barcelona v Sundowns clash a reality."
