Mandela wishes Bafana well

JOHANNESBURG (AP) - South Africa's Confederations Cup squad got a lift Wednesday when Nelson Mandela met with the players to wish them luck for their semifinal against Brazil.

South Africa's first black president, who turns 91 next month, asked for the squad to visit him at the offices of his Johannesburg foundation and was greeted by the players' rendition of "Shosholoza," an old chain gang song popular at sports events.

"We wish you well," Ndaba Mandela said as he introduced the team to his grandfather. "We know it is not going to be an easy game. But we know you are going to be victorious."

Each player from the 23-man squad for Thursday's match at Ellis Park then went up to a smiling Mandela, who greeted them and shook their hands.

"From the players' point of view, it was one of those special moments," South Africa captain Aaron Mokoena said. "Meeting the old man was incredible. One thing about the old man is that he always had belief in us, not just in the current squad but in all the Bafana Bafana squads we have had.

"It meant a lot and his presence is unbelievable. The calmness he shows when he approaches people is unbelievable and it's something we have to take into the game tomorrow."

Mandela, who is affectionately known by his clan name of "Madiba," often takes the time to meet with local sports teams ahead of important matches and games.

He famously donned a South Africa rugby jersey when the nation hoisted the World Cup trophy in 1995.

The former president looked well as he walked into the room with his white cane and accompanied by an aide.

Coach Joel Santana, a Brazilian, made a deep bow in front of Mandela, who quipped to much laughter: "Your face is familiar."

Mokoena presented Mandela with a team shirt emblazoned with his name and No. 91, in honor of his July 18 birthday.

The team sang again as Mandela left the auditorium - this time a classic protest Sotho song that translates: "Nelson Mandela, there is no one like you."

"I must say this most sincerely," Santana said. "We got goosebumps when we met Mr. Mandela, a supremely charismatic person. His presence, simply his presence and the way he spoke to us, conveyed a feeling of calm to the team. I never in my life never thought I'd have the opportunity I had today.

"I thought I'd seen it all, but i hadn't."

But what were the words Mandela said to each of the players as he met them in turn?

"'Good luck and I believe in you', is all he said," Mokoena said.