Former president Nelson Mandela persuaded striker Philemon Masinga to face Sweden on November 27 in Pretoria.
Italian-based Masinga had vowed not to play in his homeland again after being booed during a farewell match for Mandela in Johannesburg three months ago.
Masinga, a constant target of some spectators despite being the leading national team scorer and the only South African playing in Serie A, changed his mind when Mandela intervened.
“He urged me not to give in to detractors,” Masinga told reporters in Johannesburg. “I must fight this minority who are hell bent on disrupting my international career.”
The match against Euro 2000 qualifiers Sweden celebrates the inauguration five years ago of Mandela as the first democratically elected leader of South Africa.
Although captain Lucas Radebe is among 20 players named for the match at Loftus Stadium, home of the Blue Bulls provincial rugby team, he wants to be released by coach Trott Moloto.
Central defender Radebe also skippers English Premiership title contenders Leeds United, who have a fixture at Southampton just 24 hours after the Sweden match. — AFP