Principal of Bree Primary School Mr D Kallicharran (front) and coach Samad Essy with the young players who are off to France
Aug 27, 2008 – Nelson Mandela today met young South African soccer champions from Bree Primary School in Mayfair, Johannesburg, ahead of their trip to France to represent South Africa.
The 15 members of the Danone Under-12 team met Mr Mandela at his offices in Johannesburg. Each team member was introduced to Mr Mandela and then they entertained him with song.
“We are confident that you are going to do well and we are thinking of you,” Mr Mandela told the delighted team. “I wish you all the luck.”
The team, which recently won the 2008 Danone Nations Cup, will represent South Africa in France next month. Former Bafana Bafana star Neil Tovey praised the young champions: “If all youth teams become accustomed to playing with such structure I feel confident that our football will move forward very quickly and we will do well internationally,” he said.
Bree Primary only introduced soccer three years ago and is set to “make South Africa proud in France” said team manager Samad Essy. “We have an excellent coach and we will keep training and also talk to the boys about travelling internationally so that they do not feel intimidated when we get there.”