Issued by: Office of the President
23 February 1998
Lucas Radebe The Captain Bafana Bafana
Ouagadougou Burkina Faso
Dear Lucas,
It will always be a source of pride for anyone to watch his or her national team acquit itself as well as you are doing in Burkina Faso.
Your achievements as a team have brought warmth and joy to the hearts of all South Africans. I am even more impressed by the success you have achieved so far because the African Nations Cup'98 tournament saw improvement in the standard and quality of African football. You are therefore making a contribution in the promotion of sport and co-operation among the different countries of the continent.
It is clear in my mind that Bafana Bafana will do well against the Democratic Republic of Congo on Wednesday. I am looking forward to watching a beautiful display of football in the final on Saturday.
Bafana Bafana have shown great sportsmanship and dignity during their reign as African Champions in the past two years. I am looking forward to another two year reign at the helm of African football.
Special regards to the outstanding South African technical team, and coach Jomo Sono in particular, for keeping the team focussed and prepared for what promised to be the greatest achievement of South African soccer: to win the African Unity Trophy twice in a row.
Good Luck!
(Signed)
Nelson Mandela