World Cup organisers wait on Mandela

07 July 2010 - 14:11 By George Burns, Sapa-dpa
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Tournament organisers have still not decided who will present the trophy to the winners of the World Cup final on Sunday at Soccer City.

National icon Nelson Mandela would be the obvious choice for the local organizing committee (LOC) but the frail 91-year-old's attendance remains uncertain.

"He has an open invitation. The Mandela family will make a decision on the day of the final," LOC spokesman Jermaine Craig said Wednesday in Johannesburg.

Mandela had been expected to attend part of the opening game on June 11 in Soccer City but withdrew after his great grand-daughter was killed in a car crash that morning.

Many are now hoping South Africa's first black president will be able to hand over the trophy at the final instead as he had campaigned vigorously for South Africa to be granted the right to host the event.

Mandela, who turns 92 a week after the final, has curtailed his public appearances in recent years, spending most of his time at home with family.

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