South Africans urged to back World Cup after loss

After the 3-0 loss to Uruguay, South African authorities on Thursday called on its people to continue supporting the tournament.

Rich Mkhondo spokesman for FIFA's local organizing committee in South Africa, told a media briefing at Soccer City in Johannesburg.

"We hope the nation of South Africa will remain great hosts," he said.

Mkhondo added that the organizing committee was "saddened that the nation is in mourning, but we call on South Africans to remain good hosts as they have been for the past seven days."

The South African Press Association (SAPA) reported that FIFA spokesman Nicolas Maingot echoed Mkhondo's comments.

Maingot added that 75 percent of the tickets for the tournament had been sold to South Africans.

The Citizen newspaper in Johannesburg carried and editorial under the headline "Let's show that we are still winners."

The newspaper said that in the remaining 24 days of the tournament South Africans can still show they are a winning nation.

"Despite many hiccups this country has given the world an enthusiastic, friendly welcome. Disappointment over Bafana is understandable, but let's get over it.

"Let's continue to demonstrate that we can sustain a first class performance of the greatest show on Earth," The Citizen said.

Source: Xinhua