JOHANNESBURG, March 29 (Xinhua) -- The South African Football Association (SAFA) on Thursday said some of the country's soccer teams will play the Spanish La Liga (Spanish football league) as part of Nelson Mandela International Day celebrations this year.

The Nelson Mandela International Day is celebrated worldwide on July 18, which is the late former South African President's birthday.

Vuyo Mhaga, spokesperson of the Ministry of Sports and Recreation said soccer is much loved in the country. This year would have been the world renowned icon, Mandela's 100th birthday.

"In celebrating Tata (father in Mandela's Xhosa language) Mandela's centenary, SAFA has invited Spanish la liga teams to come and play some South African teams," said Mhaga.

"SAFA briefed the Minister that they will be having a Winnie Mandela Challenge to honour Mama (mother) Winnie Mandela on the contribution she has made in our country by having Banyana Banyana team playing with other national football women's team," said Mhaga.

Winnie Mandela is one of the celebrated anti-Apartheid stalwarts who contributed to the liberation of the country.