Johannesburg – Hosts Toronto Raptors were beaten 112-109 by reigning NBA Champions Golden State Warriors at Air Canada Centre, in a tribute match to Nelson Mandela to mark the second anniversary of the former president’s passing on Saturday.
The players wore specially designed T-shirts during warm-ups and on the bench. The Raptors welcomed a number of special guests, including former NBA stars Isiah Thomas and Bob Lanier along with international football star Didier Drogba.
The evening featured two African players who tipped off the game and the event celebrating the global icon. Bismack Biyombo (DRC/Toronto Raptors) and Festus Ezeli (Nigeria/Golden State Warriors) both represented Team Africa in the first NBA game on the African continent held at Ellis Park Arena in Johannesburg on August 1. On Saturday they went head-to-head for the first time this season.
Drogba paid tribute to Mandela after the game.
“(Mandela taught us that) we can all be together, we can all share the same place despite our different opinions, different origins and different colours,” said Drogba.
Thomas said the humility of Madiba was remarkable.
“After all that he had gone through, he still walked out with a very soft heart for humanity,” said Thomas.
“That was powerful, and that was the message that I tried to take from the meeting that we had.”
Biyombo said it was special to be part of the occasion in commemoration on Mandela.
“When I found out that I was going to be a part of this, I was just excited,” said Biyombo.
“And when you think about the history of South Africa and what Nelson Mandela has done, not just for South Africa, but for the whole continent of Africa, and of course the world, it was an amazing feeling and I’m excited to be a part of this.”
– African News Agency (ANA)