Zidane, Materazzi on same field again!

Zinedine Zidane and Marco Materazzi would step on the same pitch for the first time since the 2006 World Cup Final when they participate in a charity football match to celebrate former South African President Nelson Mandela's 89th birthday.

Organisers have invited the legendary French play-maker and Italian defender who were involved in the infamous head-butt incident that marred Zidane's last game as a professional footballer.

The game, scheduled for July 18 in Cape Town, will also be used as a platform to promote FIFA's anti-racism policy. "The idea to invite Zidane and Materazzi is to promote FIFA's 'No To Racism' campaign," South African businessman Tokyo Sexwale, who is one of the organisers, said yesterday.

"Zidane and Materazzi will be joined by Brazilian legend Pele who retired 30 years ago," Sexwale added.

The Rest of the World's XI versus African XI match has been named "90 Minutes for Mandela", and the proceeds from the game will be donated to the Nelson Mandela Fund.

The match was initially scheduled to be played on Robben Island where Mandela was imprisoned for 27 years but has since been moved to the Newlands Stadium.