World Cup 2014 draw: Fifa pay tribute to Nelson Mandela during ceremony

The former president of South Africa made a memorable appearance at the last World Cup

Agency
Friday 06 December 2013 12:21 EST
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Nelson Mandela has been remembered with a video tribute to open the World Cup draw ceremony.

The 90-second memorial montage included images of Mandela holding the World Cup trophy when Fifa awarded his native South Africa hosting rights for the 2010 tournament.

The film began with sustained applause from guests.

WORLD CUP 2014 INTERACTIVE GUIDE: The groups, fixtures, route to the final, venues and past winners


The former South Africa president and Nobel Peace Prize winner died on Thursday.

Mandela's last major public appearance was at the World Cup final in Johannesburg in July 2010.

Then aged 91, he came to the Soccer City stadium during the closing ceremony ahead of the match.

Mandela was driven in an open electric vehicle around the pitch on a chill evening to receive an ovation from nearly 85,000 spectators.

AP

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