Pretoria - President Jacob Zuma has wished the national squad well ahead of their crucial final Group A match against France on Tuesday, and has reminded South Africans that come what may, we are "already winners."
"South Africans are already winners. We won on 15 May 2004 when the announcement was made, declaring us as the hosts. The whole world is looking at us and applauding our success so far as hosts. And we have proven ourselves to be fantastic hosts," Zuma said during the launch of a social housing project in East London at the weekend.
Zuma urged the country not to give up hope and continue supporting the national team, but more importantly the World Cup in general.
"We must continue supporting the national team, the African teams and indeed the World Cup tournament in general as hosts."
The hopes of South African fans were dashed and vuvuzelas fell silent when Bafana suffered a 3-nil defeat to Uruguay last week.
Bafana, following a draw against Mexico and a loss to Uruguay, will need a convincing win with a tirade of goals, against former world champions France, if they are to stand any chance of progressing beyond the group stage of the tournament.
The team will hope that Uruguay do the same with Mexico too, as the latter two teams battle it our simultaneously at the Royal Bafokeng stadium, in Rustenburg. Both clashes will be at 16:00.
Bafana will go in to battle without their number one goalie Itumeleng Khune, who was given a red card, and a one match ban in last week's game, for foul play. It will be up to the team's number two goal keeper tomorrow, Moeneeb Josephs, to keep the French goals at bay.
Zuma also took the opportunity to thank South Africans for their contribution in creating an amazing spirit around the world cup.
Since the opening of the tournament- South Africans have come out in their numbers to display the colorful energy that the country is known for - with their plastic vuvuzela trumpets and headgear made from miner's helmets called makarapas and their crazy soccer gear- usually in national colours.
"We congratulate each and every citizen for such patriotism and amazing energy. You are ensuring that this becomes a vibrant African World Cup."
The president was also impressed by the massive attendance at soccer games and fan parks, saying the country has proven to the world that it can deliver a spectacular event.
