The high-profile friendly match between Mamelodi Sundowns and Barcelona on May 16 will be about a lot more than the action on the pitch with dignitaries from around the continent and beyond set to use the platform to push their various agendas. The fixture is to be played at FNB Stadium in Soweto in honour of former president Nelson Mandela as part of the centenary celebrations of his birth. Aside from government dignitaries and regional leaders‚ the Confederation of African Football (Caf) president Ahmad Ahmad has stated he will attend‚ and a number of African football association presidents are also expected to be in attendance. Ahmad is believed to be keen to use the opportunity to lobby for Morocco to host the 2026 Fifa World Cup as it contests a combined bid from Canada‚ Mexico and the US. 'African bid' Caf has made it clear it supports Morocco as an "African bid" and expects its associations‚ which make up 26% of Fifa’s total membership‚ to back the North African nation as one...
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