Johannesburg - Bafana Bafana's efforts to restore their pride following their embarrassing failure to qualify for the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations will be put to test when they face Ivory Coast next month.
Bafana will face Ivory Coast in the 17th edition of the Nelson Mandela Challenge to be played at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth on 12 November. Kick-off is at 3pm.
The last time Bafana visited the province in this clash, was in 2005, when they lost 3-2 to Senegal.
The challenge was first played in 1994 and has been ever-present on the calendar except in 2001 when it had to be cancelled after Mexico withdrew at the last minute.
South Africa have won it seven times and lost on seven occasions, with two matches ending in a draw.
Bafana Bafana's last win came in 2009 when they defeated Norway in Rustenburg; a year earlier they had beaten Cameroon to lift the trophy.
Last year, South Africa lost 1- nil to the United States of America in Cape Town.
This will also be the first time the Elephants have been invited to play in this annual football spectacle.
The West Africans come to the match ranked as the number one country on the continent and 19th in the world on the FIFA Rankings, while the home team is ranked 8th and 49th respectively.
Dr Robin Petersen, Chief Executive Officer of the South African Football Association (Safa): "We are really delighted to have managed to secure an opponent of the calibre of the Ivory Coast. They are number one on the continent, which is a clear indication that it will not be an easy day in the office."
He said there were also honoured to be playing this match near the home of Nelson Mandela. "As an Association, we believe this is a fitting tribute for all he has done for sport in general in this country."
The challenge is played annually to raise funds for the Nelson Mandela Children's Fund, and Safa is expected to donate a cheque of R1 million to the fund.
Moipone Buda-Ramatlo, Acting CEO of the Nelson Mandela Children's Fund said: "The honour of having the number one team in Africa, Ivory Coast, playing against our national soccer team for the 17th edition of Nelson Mandela Challenge fits hand-in-glove with our 2010-2015 corporate strategy to extend the footprint of our models of child care in the continent."
Bafana coach Pitso Mosimane will announce his squad to play the Elephants next Thursday.
Players included in the Ivory Coast 21-squad man include skipper, Didier Drogba, Solomon Kalou, Yaya Toure, Kolo Toure, Gervinho of Arsenal, Emmanuel Eboue of Galatasaray in Turkey and Siaka Tiene of Paris Saint Germaine in France.
The Elephants are expected to arrive in South Africa on 10 November.
Match tickets are already on sale at Computicket outlets, Shoprite and Shoprite/Checkers store countrywide at a cost of R100 for the West Lower stand and R50 for all other areas.
Tickets will not be on sale at the stadium on match day and supporters are urged to purchase their tickets in advance.
