JUST a day before their highly anticipated match against Brazil, Bafana Bafana met former president Nelson Mandela yesterday for some Madiba magic.

JUST a day before their highly anticipated match against Brazil, Bafana Bafana met former president Nelson Mandela yesterday for some Madiba magic.

Introducing the team to his grandfather at the Nelson Mandela Foundation offices in Houghton, Johannesburg, Ndaba Mandela said: "We wish you all the best in the upcoming game. We know you are going to be victorious."

Mandela, who was presented with a Bafana Bafana jersey with his name and the number 91 in honour of his upcoming birthday, said very little during the meeting, the foundation said.

"When he met coach Joel Santana, Mr Mandela said to much laughter: Your face is familiar."

Mandela had asked to meet the team "to wish them well" ahead of the Confederations Cup semifinal tonight, said Achmat Dangor, the foundation's chief executive officer.

Wearing the "Mandela Day" T-shirts named for the day that will be launched on Mandela's 91st birthday on July 18, the 23 players sang "Nelson Mandela ... there is no one like you" as the former president left the auditorium.

It is hoped that Nelson Mandela Day, which is not a holiday, would be celebrated annually and internationally, and would start a global movement for change, the foundation said. - Sapa