The Sunday News
Mehluli Sibanda, Sports Editor
CONFEDERATION of African Football president, Patrice Motsepe has expressed his condolences following the death of global football icon, Edson Arantes do Nascimento, popularly known as Pele who died last Thursday at the age of 82.
Motsepe said: “Pelé was a unique inspiration to the African continent and to football lovers worldwide and his death is a huge loss for supporters and fans of football globally. We have on several occasions over the past 18 months used his statement that an African nation will win the Fifa World Cup by the year 2000, as a source of inspiration to motivate the African Nations participating in the Fifa World Cup Qatar 2022. We have also been inspired by the work he did and his commitment to improve the living conditions of the poor and marginalised. Pelé will forever live in the hearts and minds of football lovers in Africa and worldwide.”
The football family has been plunged into mourning following the death of Pele, the only player in history to win three World Cups. He passed away at the Albert Einstein Hospital in Sao Paulo following a battle with cancer. Pele became an icon of the game after winning the World Cup in 1958 as a 17-year-old, netting twice in the final to defeat hosts Sweden. He was part of the Brazilian national teams that won three World Cup championships in 1958, 1962 and 1970. — Follow on Twitter @Mdawini_29
