Nelson Mandela's grandson, Mandla, has said that the former South African prime minister may make an appearance at the World Cup final and a source close to the arrangements told ESPN that things "look positive".
"He's going to rest and try and get some energy for tonight,'' Mandla told Reuters. ''He wishes to go to the stadium but we know with his age he can change his mind later on but he has expressed that he is coming to the stadium to come and greet the fans and go back home."
Nkosi Zwelivelile Mandela, who speaks on behalf of the family, said: "He'll come just before the opening (of the ceremony) to greet the fans before heading back home. He's going to greet the fans for fifteen, thirty minutes.''
Earlier, Mandla claimed FIFA has put "extreme pressure" on his grandfather to attend the final between Netherlands and Spain at Soccer City, but said the final decision would be left to him.
Mandela's great granddaughter Zenani died in a car accident on the eve of the tournament and Mandla Mandela explained the family should be left alone to mourn her loss.
"The family has really taken a step back from a lot of activities and we've been mourning the loss of Zenani," he told BBC Radio Five Live. "We've come under extreme pressure from FIFA requiring and wishing that my grandfather be at the final today, but I think that decision will solemnly lie with him, how he wakes up today, how he feels, what his medical team says, but as well his family.
"They (FIFA) said that Sepp Blatter wished that my grandfather comes out to the final. I think people ought to just understand the family's traditions and customs and understand we've had a loss in the family and we are in mourning and that for me would be enough reason to leave the family to be for now.
"Their focus is having this world icon in the stadium yet not really paying attention to our customs and traditions as a people and as a family."
