THE opening of the World Cup was marred today by the death of former South African president Nelson Mandela’s great-granddaughter in a car crash.

The Nelson Mandela Foundation said Zenani Mandela, 13, was killed on the way home from last night’s Soweto concert heralding today’s launch of the tournament, which is being held in Africa for the first time.

The girl apparently died in a one-car accident and no-one else was injured.