The Organising Committee has thanked South Africans for showing a united front to ensure the success of the 2009 Confederations Cup.

The Organising Committee has thanked South Africans for showing a united front to ensure the success of the 2009 Confederations Cup.

Irvin Khoza, the organising committee's chairperson, said there has never been a sporting event that united South Africa as the Confederations Cup did.

"It was great to see South Africans of all colours, especially whites who do not watch the Premier Soccer League matches, turning up in numbers during the games.

"That also contributed to the soaring sales of the vuvuzelas and makarapas. On average, just more than 36000 people attended during the two-week tournament

"For me this was a test event for the organising committee and for Fifa, but I must say for South Africa it has been an historic moment," said Khoza.

"Never in the history of this country have we seen South Africans so united on the field of play. The spectators showed that all of South Africa can be united facing the same direction.

"The Confederations Cup has achieved what no other sporting code has achieved. This was the greatest achievement of this tournament."

Sepp Blatter, the Fifa president, was also happy with developments in the past two weeks, saying it augurs well for a successful 2010 World Cup.

Danny Jordaan, the committee's chief executive, said they were happy that the tournament was a roaring success.

"I think we achieved everything we set out to," said Jordaan.

Fifa general secretary Jerome Valcke and the organising committee will meet in the next two days to review the Confederations Cup.