FIFA will honour Molefi Oliphant when the world soccer body bestows its highest honour on the former Safa president in Johannesburg today.

FIFA will honour Molefi Oliphant when the world soccer body bestows its highest honour on the former Safa president in Johannesburg today.

Sowetan can reveal that the Sedibeng educationist-turned-businessman will be awarded the Order of Merit by Fifa president Sepp Blatter. This will take place at the end of a two-day Fifa congress that started in Sandton yesterday.

The letter sent to Oliphant by Blatter reads in part: "It has become a tradition for Fifa to present at its congress the Fifa Order of Merit to members of the football family who have made an extraordinary contribution to the development of our sport.

"Over the years, a very select group of individuals have been nominated to receive this distinction."

Oliphant has has been invited by Fifa World Cup committee chairperson Issa Hayatou as a guest of honour for the opening ceremony of the spectacular tomorrow.

Oliphant remains a member of the LOC after he declined to stand for re-election for another term as Safa president last September.