African football legends in Bafana Bafana v Nigeria 'curtain raiser'

The South African Masters and Legends Football Association (SAMLFA) has partnered with Professional Soccer Management Company to host a charity football match at the Orlando Stadium on November 14, 2018. 

According to SAMLFA president Buddha Mathathe, the match will be a precursor for Bafana Bafana's upcoming game against Nigeria in the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. 

The encounter will see legends and masters from across the African continent face each other in Soweto. 

The organisers confirmed that more details regarding the Fifa and Safa sanctioned charity football match will be revealed in a press conference which will be held at the Orlando Stadium on Wednesday, October 31. 

Yesteryear's football stars such as Philemon Masinga, Lucas Radebe, Doctor Khumalo and Jay-Jay Okocha among others, are expected to be part of this charity football match although nothing has been confirmed as yet. 

Here's a statement as released by the South African Football Association (Safa) on Monday:  

The President of the South African Masters and Legends Football Association (SAMLFA), Buddha Mathathe announced the partnership with Professional Soccer Management Company to host a FIFA and SAFA Sanctioned International Charity Football Match at Orlando Stadium on Wednesday, 14 November 2018.

The match will work as a precursor of the upcoming South Africa versus Nigeria 2019 AFCON qualifier on 17 November 2018 at FNB Stadium.

A press conference is scheduled for Wednesday, 31 October 2018 at Orlando Stadium Auditorium at 10h00, where details of the match and other related activities will be articulated.

The international charity match will be between Legends and Masters from the African Continent.

“This International Charity match and associated activities take place at a very historic time in our country when we honour and celebrate the legacy of President Nelson Mandela, Mama Winnie Madikezela-Mandela and Mama Albertina Sisulu, vibrant debates about social cohesion are taking place.

“South Africa is taking an active leadership role on the African Continent, within BRICS and the United Nations. Football has been and remains an international unifier. This Legends and Masters game is very fitting and SAMLFA looks forward to hosting over 30 Legends and Masters from the African continent.  More details will be shared at the press conference,” said Mathathe.