The Premier Soccer League has given Mamelodi Sundowns the green light to host La Liga giants and five-time Champions League winners Barcelona at the FNB Stadium.

Masadawana confirmed that they will do duty against Barcelona in an international friendly on 16 May, but doubts were raised regarding the confirmation of the encounter due to the date of the clash.

‘The match has been arranged to form part of the Nelson Mandela Centenary Celebrations,’ a press statement by the PSL media read.

‘The league has always followed the same approach in respect of friendly matches in particular when these will [or might] impact the league or cup competitions.

‘This request, however, was of an extraordinary nature in that it formed part of the Madiba Centenary Celebrations.

‘Moreover, it had direct support, both of sponsors Nedbank and government, in light of the nature and importance of the event and the part football plays in bringing South Africans together.

‘The executive committee of the league granted the requested subject to compliance with all of the relevant requirements of Caf and Fifa and also on the express basis that Mamelodi Sundowns will comply fully with every requirement of Sasrea,’ it said.

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