Nelson Mandela is under extreme pressure to attend World Cup final, says his grandson Mandla Mandela to BBC radio. The 92-year apartheid icon had already skipped the opening ceremony to attend the funeral of his great grand daughter, Zenani Mandela. Nevertheless, his presence would certainly bring a glorious end to this tournament, the first to be hosted in the continent but the Mandela family appears upset with FIFA for exerting “extreme pressure” on this aging icon.
“We’ve come under extreme pressure from FIFA requiring and wishing that my grandfather be at the final today,” Mandla said, speaking to BBC, “But I think that decision will solemnly lie with him, as how he wakes up today, how he feels, and what his medical team says.” He further adds, “My grandfather is 92 years old next week, this is an evening game; he’s expected to hand over the trophy after the game which could be anything from 10:30 p.m to 11:00 p.m and it will be quite strenuous on his part.”
It’s not clear if Mandela is to attend the finishing ceremony, given that his whole family is still in mourning for Zenani, who died just two days before her 13th birthday in an unfortunate car accident.
FIFA supreme Sepp Blatter is hopeful. “We cannot foresee exactly what will happen, but if (Nelson Mandela) can come to the stadium it will be good,” he said on Thursday. He adds, “…… and it will be a wonderful moment for him, for football, for Africa - if this can be a possibility.”
Despite this setback, everybody is still counting on this icon to honour the last moments of the ultimate showdown.
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