South Africans were winners anyway, even though their soccer team lost a crucial 2010 FIFA World Cup game against Uruguay, the ruling party assured the country on Monday.

In an apparent attempt to provide some comfort to Bafana Bafana supporters - and perhaps trying to prevent South Africans from losing interest in the FIFA World Cup - the African National Congress (ANC) released a "proudly South African" media statement.

"The ANC calls on all South Africans to continue rallying in support of Bafana Bafana, confident that, despite last Wednesday's loss against Uruguay, the national team will emerge victorious in the crucial game against France in the Free State... Let us not lose sight of the fact that we have already emerged triumphant by successfully hosting the world's most prestigious soccer tournament," ANC spokesperson Jackson Mthembu said in a statement.

He said that South Africans, as hosts of the tournament, "have been able to do the impossible by demonstrating to the world that we are, indeed, wonderful hosts and will continue being the best hosts during the 2010 FIFA World Cup and beyond".

Bafana Bafana needs to beat France on Tuesday to have any hope of moving to the next round - and then its fate still depends on the outcome of other games in its group.

But, even under "these circumstances", the ANC is "certain that Bafana Bafana will succeed to move to the next round".

But the ANC added: "Let us continue to give all our best in showing support to the 32 teams participating in the tournament, particularly African teams."