SOUTH Africa deserves a pat of the back for delivering on its commitment to make the 2010 Fifa World Cup a truly African event.

SOUTH Africa deserves a pat of the back for delivering on its commitment to make the 2010 Fifa World Cup a truly African event.

This according to Football Association of Zambia media officer Eric Mwanza, who was speaking after the Gauteng Future Champions international Under-17 tournament.

Zambia were represented by K Stars, who are owned by the foundation of FAZ president and 2010 Fifa World Cup ambassador Kalusha Bwalya.

For the record, Chinese team Shandong Luneng won the tournament by beating France's Paris Saint-Germain on penalties at Rand Stadium on Saturday.

"We appreciate the fact that South Africa are roping in other Africans to be part of the preparations for the World Cup," Mwanza said.

"It was such a wonderful experience for our youngsters to play in a tournament in a country that will be hosting the first World Cup on African soil.

"We hope some of the products of this tournament will represent their countries during the 2012 London Olympics and 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

"The tournament helped to expose our youngsters to international football, they also made friends with their peers from South Africa, Brazil, Tunisia and India. We appreciate what South Africa is doing to ensure that we are also part of the World Cup. We will continue to support South Africa in making the World Cup a roaring success."

The Johannesburg-based Bwalya is one of the African legends who have always backed South Africa, saying the country will host a great tournament.