Mandela greets fans before World Cup final

South Africa's former president and Nobel laureate Nelson Mandela greeted fans before the World Cup final between Spain and the Netherlands on Sunday.

The 91-year-old anti-apartheid icon, who missed the World Cup opening ceremony after his great-grand daughter died in a car crash, arrived at Soccer City Stadium to a tumult of cheers.

South Africa's first black president rode next to his wife Graca Machel in an open-air vehicle, waving to the cheering spectators and TV viewers around the world.

The arrival of Mandela, the symbol of South African democracy, put a perfect finishing touch to Africa's first World Cup.

Mandela was expected to return home to watch the game, which kicks off at 20:30 local time, on television.

FIFA President Sepp Blatter on Thursday expressed hope that Mandela would attend the final, saying: "He has had this trophy in his hand when he was in Zurich in 2004, and it will be a wonderful moment for him, for football, for Africa - if this can be a possibility."

Source: Xinhua

Special Report: World Cup 2010