The safety of the upcoming FIFA World Cup in South Africa should not be linked to the ambush of Togo's soccer team in Angola, Police Commissioner Bheki Cele said on Monday.

Speaking in Pretoria after returning from Angola, Cele gave assurances that all security measures were in place to host a safe soccer World Cup in June.

"We realised, [after the terrorist attack] that the gaps that could have been noticed were closed in South Africa. We are really fine."

Referring to the link made to the world cup after the attack during African Cup of Nations, Cele said: "The mood was a bit down but immediately it was about 2010. It was a little bit of Cabinda [where the attacks took place] and a lot about 2010".

Cele said the bomb blasts on commuter trains in Madrid, Spain in 2004 and the 2005 terrorist attack on London's transport network had no bearing on the soccer world cup in Germany in 2006.

"Nobody linked them to the world cup."

Cele said it was unfortunate that Togo's team, which comprised some players from English teams, withdrew from the tournament.

"It does give credence to terrorism for officials to say succumb. I would have loved them to continue, there is a history of sport and terrorism."

He said while some players had wanted to continue, government pressure forced them to withdraw.

"The final instruction was you will play, but not under the flag of Togo. Simply put they were disowned," Cele said.

Togo's national team was attacked soon after their arrival in Cabinda, Angola on Friday. The ambush on the team's bus killed an assistant coach, a team spokesperson and the bus driver. Eight others were wounded.