Soccer supporters from around the country who attended the Telkom Knockout Final at Mbombela Stadium paid their last respects to the former statesman, Dr Nelson Mandela who passed on last Thursday at his Houghton home in Johannesburg.

A moment of silence was observed for five minutes before kick-off, while Orlando Pirates and Platinum Stars players read messages of support.

Platinum Stars players wore black armbands, while Pirates players wore their home black outfit instead of their away red kit with armbands in honour of Madiba.

Pictures of him with messages replaced the many hilarious messages that have been the custom in football matches.

Mandela’s songs were sung during the break, instead of the house and kwaito music and live performances that have previously dominated the competition.

In honouring his spirit paying homage to this great icon, the Premier Soccer League (PSL) has cancelled all the planned mid-week and weekend fixtures.

This affects the Absa Premiership, National First Division (NFD) and NFD Qualification Competition fixtures until December 15.

“Stadiums that were going to host some of our fixtures have been confirmed as venues to host memorial services and other gatherings.

“We therefore decided that due to logistical challenges faced by the league and the clubs, we should postpone the fixtures scheduled for mid-week and the weekend,” said the PSL CEO, Brand de Villiers.

He confirmed, however, that Absa Premiership fixtures would resume on Monday December 16.

The PSL will advise on dates of the postponed fixtures.