Nigeria was due - along with South Africa, Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia and Libya - to present their World Cup bid book to FIFA inZurich on Tuesday. But, at the last minute, they announced they were pulling out and were instead supporting South Africa.

"In the spirit of African brotherhood, and Nigeria, especially with her cordial relationship with South Africa, the federal government has withdrawn from the bid of the 2010 World Cup fiestaand lends its full support to South Africa," Nigerian Sports Minister Musa Mohammed said on Monday.

"It's great news for South Africa and our bid," said Danny Jordaan, South Africa's bid chief executive, "More important than Nigeria backing out is the fact that they have given us their support, because they are extremely influential in West Africa andwill be able to consolidate a large amount of support behind the South African bid.

"I was surprised to hear they had pulled out because I expectedthem to be there on Tuesday presenting their bid, but I'm delighted Nigeria will now be behind us."

Jordaan was speaking from Zurich, where he will lead South Africa's bid book presentation on Tuesday. South Africa will present first and is to be followed by Tunisia, Libya, Morocco andEgypt.

Jordaan, Kaizer Motaung and three-time African footballer of the year Abedi Pele are all expected to address FIFA president Sepp Blatter, along with cabinet ministers Essop Pahad and NgcondeBalfour.