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Johannesburg - President Jacob Zuma on Monday said FIFA president Sepp Blatter had been vindicated because of his strong belief in South Africa's ability to host the World Cup.
"Our hosting of this historic FIFA World Cup on African soil vindicates Mr Blatter's strong conviction that we were capable of delivering a spectacular and successful event," he told journalists at a post World Cup briefing in Sandton, Johannesburg.
Zuma said it was an "emotional moment" for the country, but it had shown the world it had what it took to compete with the best.
"It truly is an emotional moment for a nation that had doomsayers warning football fans to avoid coming to South Africa.
"The world had been told to expect high levels of crime, unfinished stadiums and other infrastructure as well as lack of accommodation."
However, Zuma said, people came and discovered South Africa was a "winning nation".
"We did it. We did it well, we did it successfully, but we did not do it alone. We did it with Africa and with the support of the world."
Zuma then proceeded to thank everyone who made the event possible.
