South Africans urged to continue World Cup support

"We know that Bafana's win is not enough to take them through to the next round, but we applaud them for bowing out in style, with a victory against France," said President Jacob Zuma in a statement issued by the Presidency on Tuesday night.

Bafana Bafana put up an amazing fight against France, beating the 1998 World Champions 2-1, but that was not good enough to send the national team through to the Round of 16 of the FIFA World Cup.

"It would have been great to have Bafana Bafana progress to the next stage, but their exit doesn't mean the end of the tournament.

"Government urges South Africans to continue playing an active role in the country's hosting of the historic 2010 FIFA World Cup. After all, this is still our World Cup."

The President said that despite the national squad not making it to the next stage of the World Cup, the nation was already victorious in that it was hosting the world cup - the first to be held on African soil.

"We are enjoying a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity," he said.

The President urged South Africans and visitors to keep up the good spirit that has so far characterised the tournament and to make use of Public Viewing Areas (PVAs) and Fan Fests which remain open and can be enjoyed at no cost. - BuaNews