A rare mix of two iconic figures. The much cherished FIFA World Cup that has over the years been adorned by an array of soccer legends, ranging from Beckenbauer to Maradona, is held so pompously in this file photo by a different legend, Nelson Mandela, father of free South Africa. The FIFA World Cup tournament comes to Mandela’s nation this time and his immense influence in Africa as a freedom fighter and his genuine love for sport have been great reasons for the organisers to hold the event in the African continent for this time. Sport lovers world over will always hope this iconic personality, who is 91 now, will be there to grace the occasion when the 19th World Cup begins in South Africa this June.